Ndewura Jakpa SHS (NDESCO) has held a sensitization program to sensitize students, staff, and teachers of the school against Gender Based Violence (GBV). The program was held on the school campus with a float on the principal streets of Damongo, the regional capital, Savannah region.
The Ghana Education Service (GES), has unveiled a comprehensive sexual harassment awareness and prevention policy to make the school environment safe for students in pre-tertiary (SHS) educational institutions.
Developed by the GES in partnership with stakeholders such as the Ghana TVET Service and Mastercard Foundation, the initiative aims to address the roots of sexual harassment and safeguard students within pre-tertiary educational institutions in Ghana.
Aremu Babatunde Philip, Assistant Headmaster, Administration, Ndewura Jakpa SHS addressing staff and students explained that the policy sets out clear guidelines on identifying sexual harassment, strategies for raising awareness among teachers and students, avenues for stakeholder training, and punitive measures for offenders.
He added that students will receive education on recognizing potential triggers and instances of sexual harassment. And that the shared responsibility in ensuring safe schools, urging stakeholders, including school authorities, parents, opinion leaders, and civil society organizations, to actively support the policy’s success, is a responsibility for all.
Sexual Harassment can be seen where any action of sexual nature is meted out or exhibited to someone with the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of the person in particular when creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile, intimidating, or unfriendly environment.
He appealed, “let’s stay committed to building Safe Spaces and empowering voices to report and act.
Together, we are creating a culture of zero tolerance for harassment. The policy marks a significant step towards creating a secure and conducive educational environment, aligning with global efforts to protect students and uphold their rights”.
The program was attended by Mr. Alhassan Mohammed Mutawakilu (Regional Guidance and Counseling Coordinator), Seidu Latifa (Girl Education Officer), Dennis Abindana (Training Officer), staff and students.
Speaker after speaker used the medium to applaud the GES and government, stakeholders, and organizations who are female gender friendly, and appealed to them to critically continue the objectives till Gender Based Violence (GBV) is reduced in schools and communities.
They appealed to stakeholders for a shared responsibility in ensuring safe schools, including school authorities, parents, opinion leaders, and civil society organizations, to actively support the policy’s success and a significant step towards creating a secure and conducive educational environment, aligning with global efforts to protect students and uphold their rights.
Rev. Clifford Abas, Guidance and counseling coordinator for NDESCO said ending Gender Based Violence is not a one of call, but a continuous one, till it is totally eradicated in favor of women and girls in the country.
He said the importance of aligning the policy with existing laws will make sure that anyone exploiting a student would face legal consequences.
Abdulai Zulkaninu/0242381890
