Heslop, J; (2016) Technical Brief: Engaging communities in addressing gender norms to tackle sexual violence in and around schools. [Digital scholarly resource]. https://www.ungei.org/publication/engaging-communi...

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Abstract

The purpose of this technical note is to 1) explain how gender norms shape sexual violence, and why they are critical to address in SRGBV interventions, and 2) identify promising approaches to reducing sexual violence through tackling gender norms. Whilst there are many important approaches to tackling sexual violence and SRGBV, such as good coordination across sectors, this paper will be limited to approaches addressing gender norms. It aims to be a resource for organisations who work in, or are planning to implement programmes on SRGBV primarily at local level, although learning can also be applied at policy level. This document synthesises evidence from research publications linked to two projects – UNICEF-led End Gender Violence in Schools and ActionAid-led Stop Violence Against Girls in Schools in Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique. The brief identifies that paying attention to gender norms is critical for all work on SRGBV, but is particularly central to work aiming to reduce sexual harassment and violence in and around schools. However, it is not enough to find spaces to talk with children about gender norms, as children and young people cannot change everything by themselves. Norms are reinforced through schools, families, religious and traditional institutions and so all these need to be engaged in efforts towards change. SRGBV interventions that are framed within child protection and girls’ education may ignore sexuality and see it as a separate issue from violence. These interventions risk undermining efforts to protect girls by reinforcing ideas for example about female chastity and placing responsibility on girls to stay away from boys and men, which can result in them being blamed for any sexual encounter (whether violent or not) that becomes known. This may actually discourage them from coming forward to report violence. The technical brief identifies a number of recommendations for how to consider gender norms in work addressing sexual violence in and around schools.

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