Tackling sexual violence, helping keep our girls in school
A young girl walks into a classroom full of hope, dreams and aspirations. She dreams of becoming a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher or perhaps the first woman president. But what happens when the classroom that is supposed to protect her becomes the very place she fears most? For some girls, the answer is heartbreaking. … The post Tackling sexual violence, helping keep our girls in school appeared…
Every day, young girls walk into classrooms filled with hope and dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers or even presidents. However, the very place meant to protect them often becomes the source of their fear. Sexual violence in schools is a major issue in Ghana, with nearly a quarter of girls reporting some form of sexual abuse during their education.
This issue is not only about the physical harm caused by sexual violence, but also the psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Despite Ghana's efforts to increase girls' enrollment in schools through policies such as Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) and Free Senior High School (SHS), many girls still drop out due to sexual harassment and exploitation.
This highlights the urgent need for a holistic approach to tackle this issue, involving school authorities, parents, communities, and law enforcement agencies. Key actions include educating students about personal boundaries, establishing a strict code of conduct, appointing a special staff member for handling complaints, and ensuring that all complaints are taken seriously.
It is imperative that we provide a safe environment for girls to learn and fulfill their dreams without fear of sexual violence.
Written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
