Take a stand against school-related GBV

In my nine years of teaching profession, I have come across several School Related Gender Based Violence (SRGVB). These are acts or threats of sexual, physical or psychological violence happening in and around schools (Wikipedia). These types of violence are due to gender norms and stereotypes and can also include verbal abuse, bullying, sexual abuse, harassment and other types of violence.

SRGBV is widely spread around the world and is common in many societies (Wikipedia).

Many of the incidences of SRGBV I have come across have gone either unreported or justice has not been served. This is mainly because parents or the victims were afraid to report because of their poor background; they were being threatened by a teacher; or the issue just died silently.

According to the Violence Against Children and Young People in Malawi survey (VACS) 2013 report, one out of five females and one out of seven males in Malawi have experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse before they reached 18. The report further states that almost half of all females have experienced physical and emotional violence or other forms of multiple violence.

As I come across such cases, my heart cries out for the injustices our girls face in school. I cry for parents who send their girls to school expecting them to be educated but end up being abused by teachers who are supposed to guide the girls into being responsible citizens and to protect them from abuse. I cry for my fellow teachers who turn a blind eye and deaf ear when these things are happening under their watch. I cry for the justice system where the culprit’s only punishment is being transferred to another school.

My turning point was when I decided to act when one female student wrote a letter testifying that she was being sexually harassed by one of the male teachers. This was a girl from a poor background only wanting to learn so that she could make something out of her life. Following her courage other girls came out confessing the number of times they had been sexually harassed.

My colleague and I later decided to report the issue to the higher authority in the district. To our surprise, my colleague and I were posted to another school, but the accused remained at the school for close to a year. We later heard that he was later posted to another school.

This action of being transferred raised questions in me as to whether I was transferred for reporting a case of harassment or it was just a coincidence. Whichever way I believe that both the girls who are abused and the one who decides to act over such matters are victims of SRGBV.

But at the end of it all I felt a sense of pride because I had acted instead of just being a spectator. But it taught me a few lessons: if the victim comes from a poor background they would never get justice; if fellow teachers continue to remain silent over such matters, SRGBV will never end; if officials show biasness and not act on evidence presented to them, girls will continue to fall victim to some male teachers.

But the biggest lesson I have learned from all this is to make a commitment to empower and equip the girls with knowledge and skills on SRGBV. My role has been to empower the girls to rise and speak on harassment.

As we commemorate the 16 Days of Activism, I remember all girls who have fallen victim to abuse and harassment perpetrated by teachers, and those who cannot speak out when being abused. I am also encouraged knowing that I have made a difference in a few girls through some of the workshops we have ran to equip, empower, educate and inspire them to be the voice that says, STOP GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, LET GIRLS BE EDUCATED!

I am narrating this story because I want my fellow teachers, especially female teachers, to not stand aside and watch our girls being victimized in such a way. Who knows, the next victim could be your daughter or niece if you don’t make a stand. n