Teach consent and sexual boundaries from pre-school to prevent abuse – Gender advocate
Educator and gender advocate, Dr Abena Nyarkoa, has called for education on sexual consent from the basic school level to help combat sexual abuse in schools.
Gender advocate Dr Abena Nyarkoa has urged the incorporation of sexual consent education into basic school curriculums to combat sexual abuse in educational institutions. During an interview on JoyNews' The Pulse, she emphasized the importance of teaching children about consent and setting personal boundaries from a young age. "We need to teach children about self-autonomy, about boundaries," she stated.
Her comments were made in response to recent allegations of sexual abuse involving a headmaster and female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School. Dr Nyarkoa also stressed the significance of parental involvement in addressing the issue, encouraging open communication between parents and their children on sensitive topics.
She called for parents to actively engage in conversations about consent and potential red flags, such as teachers displaying overly friendly behavior. Furthermore, Nyarkoa proposed the appointment of designated female officers on school premises to serve as mentors and confidants for girls, providing a safe space for them to express their concerns.
To ensure effective implementation, she advocated for the establishment of clear policies governing allegations and consequences for those found accountable. Dr Nyarkoa warned that failing to hold perpetrators responsible perpetuates the normalization of sexual abuse in school environments.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
