In an effort to strengthen UNESCO’s role and contribution in preventing School-related Gender-based Violence (SRGBV), a range of activities have been initiated by the UNESCO New Delhi office following the production of the desk calendar on preventing and eliminating SRGBV.
A study has been commissioned to identify the nature, scope and impact of School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) in educational institutions in two states of India.
The key objectives of the study are to assess the magnitude, nature, response and reporting of different forms of SRGBV, and the evidence will be used to call on Governments to factor-in SRGBV in national policies and action plans to promote the creation of a safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environment for all girls and boys. The research report would be available by end December 2015.
UNESCO New Delhi office is also engaged in developing an Interactive Mobile Application (Android) to impart knowledge on prevention of School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) targeting School Children of Adolescent Age across India. The mobile App will cover a wide range of scenarios related to SRGBV and pre-defined responses as per lawful practices prescribed by India’s legal framework.
The Application is associated with dynamic marking/ranking system and linked to a content management system (CMS) with moderator to ensure dissemination of resource materials on SRGBV.
Both these initiatives have the endorsement of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. The findings of the study will contribute in development of the Mobile App on SRGBV, which is expected to be ready for launch by January 2016.
In addition, UNESCO New Delhi is working closely with the State Education and Health Department in an effort to strengthen comprehensive sexuality education in Arunachal Pradesh (North Eastern State of India).
Although it is a low prevalence state in terms of HIV infection, HIV cases have been steadily going up in Arunachal Pradesh over the past five years, with 223 cases being recorded till last March 2013. According to the data available with the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) the number was 167 in 2010 and most of those tested positive were in the age group of 15 to 39 years old.
In order to reach out more effectively to the adolescents and young people, UNESCO initiated interventions to strengthen CSE in the state. A needs assessment survey with 200 secondary school students (Class VIII - IX) from selected districts to determine their Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour and Practice (KABP) on HIV, sexual behaviour, relationships, Sexual and Reproductive Health.
The findings and recommendations from the survey will contribute in development of a training manual on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in English, based on the UNESCO International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education. This will be followed up with a Training of Trainers programme with teachers and educationists who will be instrumental in rolling out CSE in the entire state. Furthermore, the Honourable Chief Minister (HCM) of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri. Nabam Tuki launched the UNESCO supported programme on Adolescence Education Programme.
Contact: Sarita Jadav, UNESCO New Delhi (s.jadav@unesco.org)