Visionary Reports

The Campaign to combat School-Related Gender-Based Violence Was launched in Lycee Nylong Douala on Monday May 9.

 A  Campaign to Combat School-Related Gender-Based Violence has been launched in Douala. The campaign that was launched in Lycee de Nylong Brazaville in Douala on May 9 will  be carried out in some schools in the littoral and South West Regions Cameroon. The campaign by Bringing Hearts Together Organisation (BHeT) in partnership with the Young African Women Congress Network (YAWC) is aimed at sensitizing school children on School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) and Building Self Confidence. The launching ceremony on May 9, was a moment for the members of both organizations to drill students on the dangers of Gender-based violence how to report it, and how to avoid it. It was also an opportunity for the students to receive lessons on how to build their self-confidence and face their challenges head-on.

. According to the Chief Executive officer of of BHeT  Regina Liengu Etaka Esong, violence in schools is widespread, and discriminatory gender norms are one of the key driving factors. She added that there has been increasing recognition of School Related Gender Based Violence as a pressing issue requiring global attention. To her, it was high time students know the dangers and know how to avoid SRGBV as it affects them negatively. “As with all forms of violence, school-related gender-based violence violates children’s rights and is a significant barrier for girls’ and boys’ access to and participation in education”  Mrs. Regina Liengu Etaka Esong reiterated. She also added that the sensitization campaign is in line with BHeT campaign which seeks to raise awareness on the dangers of gender-based violence in Schools. She added that they were out to give the students some tips on how to prevent gender-based violence and also to educate teachers on how to make the school environment free of gender-based violence.

She said the project also has a sub-theme to build the confidence of young girls to face their challenges.

. The representative of the Young African Women Congress Network for the littoral Region Kininla Wirba Stephanie said preventing and responding to gender-based violence is a key element in reaching equality between men and women, girls and boys, and an essential step to keeping girls in school and alleviating poverty. This is why the YAWC Network, she went on, has placed the fight against School-Related Gender-based violence as one of its actions.

  By Emma Mesodi