Accra: The Ghana Education Service (GES) has emphasized the importance of prevention, support, and accountability in tackling sexual harassment and gender-based violence (GBV) within educational institutions.
According to Ghana News Agency, GBV has been adversely affecting students, educators, and staff members across the education sector, with alarming rates and statistics drawing attention to the issue.
Mrs. Gifty Sekyi Bremansu, the Director of Guidance and Counseling at GES, highlighted these concerns during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for Safer Schools and the Nationwide Campaign against Gender-Based Violence in Secondary Schools in Accra. The Safe Schools Programme, introduced by GES in 2018, aims to eradicate all forms of violence against children in schools, providing a safe and conducive learning environment. The theme for this year’s campaign, “Safe Spaces, Empowered Voices, Ending Sexual Harassment in our Schools,” underscores the urgency of this mission.
The 16 Days of Activism Again
st Gender-Based Violence, observed globally from November 25 to December 10, calls on governments, policymakers, and stakeholders to unite and take decisive action to address these critical issues. Mrs. Bremansu stressed the necessity of integrating GBV prevention into educational curricula, with the support of partners such as CAMFED and T-TEL. She mentioned the development of the Learner Guidance Service, a curriculum centered on value-based learning to equip students with skills to combat GBV.
Mrs. Bremansu also emphasized the importance of fostering healthy relationships and challenging harmful gender stereotypes as preventive measures against GBV. She advocated for confidential reporting channels, counseling services, and guidance support for survivors at various educational levels. Additionally, Mrs. Bremansu shared findings from a 2022 UNICEF Ghana study, revealing that 51% of students were aware of sexual harassment, while 49% were not, with female respondents feeling particularly vulnerable.
The st
udy also indicated the persistence of corporal punishment, with 71% of respondents acknowledging its presence in schools. Mrs. Bremansu called for accountability for perpetrators and zero tolerance for school-related gender violence, highlighting the role of GES legal units in enforcing these measures. She urged stakeholders, including parents, to join efforts in combating GBV, with support from development partners for research and capacity building.
Mrs. Bremansu appealed to traditional authorities and religious leaders to use their platforms to advocate against GBV. She encouraged students to speak out, support peers, and promote a culture of respect and inclusivity. Ms. Dinah Adiko, the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Key Advisor for Transforming Teaching, Education, and Learning (T-TEL), announced the development of guidelines to address sexual harassment in secondary education, which includes mandatory online training for all secondary school teachers.
As of six months ago, 55% of teachers
had completed the training, 15% were in progress, and 20% had yet to start. Mr. Stephen Abamfo, the Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, stated that guidelines for teachers would be distributed to ensure they understand the consequences of sexual harassment and prevention strategies. He also mentioned the success of the Back-to-School campaign, aimed at re-enrolling students who had dropped out due to issues like teenage pregnancy.
A competition is being held as part of the 16 Days of Activism to identify the most active school in each of Ghana’s 16 regions for promoting GBV awareness, with a prize of GHC 16,000 for the winning school. This initiative aims to spread the message about sexual harassment to a broad audience.