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Summary: Declaration from three day conference on Violence Against Girls in Education which was hosted by Action Aid International in collaboration with the Open Society Initiatives of Southern Africa (OSISA) in May in Harare, Zimbabwe.
We, the (75) representatives of the Ministries of Education in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, members of Teachers’ Unions, policy makers, leaders in the national, regional and continental non governmental organisations concerned with the rights of girls to quality and safe education and advocates for women’s human rights, gathered in Harare, Zimbabwe from 8 to 10 May, 2006, for a sub-regional conference on Violence Against Girls in Education hereby declare the following; At the school level, systems must be put in place to monitor the prevalence of violence and measures taken to raise awareness amongst teachers, learners and surrounding communities.
Understanding that Violence Against Girls is occurring on a wide scale in our region and that it takes many varied forms including those of a sexual, physical, verbal, emotional and psychological nature. We also fully understand that violence against girls in education is a microcosm of pervasive violence against women in many of our countries, which is based on unequal power relations and strong patriarchal values in our communities.
Acknowledging that Violence against Girls happens in many different private and public locations such as the home, the school, education campuses, in public transport, on the walk to school and elsewhere.
Recognising that there are multiple perpetrators of violence against girls- whether it occurs in private and public places, including; relatives and community members, school authorities or administrative systems.
Disturbed by the knowledge that girls in our countries are at least three times as likely as boys to experience a form of violence that affects their ability to fully enjoy their rights to and in education, be it at the primary level, secondary level or institutions of higher learning.
Concerned at the blanket of silence that covers the pervasive issue of Violence Against Girls in our societies. In our region, there is little or no official acknowledgement that girls are insufficiently protected in schools.
Deeply concerned that this critical problem is often sanctioned by customary, religious and traditional practices that endorse or condone the violation of young girls. These include abuse through early marriages and in cases where girls are raped, negotiated marriages. Also very concerned that Violence Against Girls is occurring in a context where the risk of infection of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is extremely high and has a deeply profound impact on the lives of girls in the region;
Noting with concern, the paucity of data to assess the extent of Violence against girls in schools and the concomitant lack of systemic assessment of changes in attitudes or behaviour.
Recognising that our governments have made commendable moves and signed various international and regional human rights instruments that commit our countries to providing, protecting, and advancing the rights of girls to high quality and safe education;
Mindful of the fact that some governments in the region have made exemplary efforts at fulfilling their obligations by putting in place policies for the re-entry into school of girls who had dropped out due to pregnancy;
Having, on this occasion listened to the testimonies of young girls whose education rights were disrupted by violent crimes of a sexual nature committed against them;
We call upon our governments to, among other things, ensure that a safe environment exists for girls to pursue their educational goals and dreams and benefit fully from the rights they have to and in education, be it at the primary, secondary or tertiary levels by;
Leadership: Governments, in collaboration with the various stakeholders in the education sector, such as Teacher’s Unions, child rights movements and institutions, Non Governmental Organisations, and women’s rights organizations, must declare zero tolerance for Violence Against Girls in Education. This will require that the relevant Ministries in government take up leadership on developing an appropriate policy, attitudinal and administrative environment to protect girls from violence in the education system. We urge relevant government Ministries to collect sex disaggregated data on the prevalence and incidence of Violence in schools. This will provide them with the necessary tools for policy development, and monitoring change.
Safe Educational Environments: Governments must make concerted efforts to make schools and the communities surrounding them safe and comfortable. By protecting learners from harm and all forms of violence, governments will enhance girls’ performance and achievement in schools and tertiary institutions.
Legislation:
Parliaments and governments in the SADC region should develop, enact, and ensure effective implementation of laws that prevent the violation of girls. These laws should have very stiff penalties for perpetrators of Violence Against Girls.
Judiciary:
Governments should ensure that judicial systems are friendly to and supportive of the girls who have survived crimes committed against them. Not only should the courts be survivor friendly, but they should also be speedy and efficient .
Customary Laws:
Negative customary practices and harmful traditional practices should be eliminated and should not be used as excuses for violation of girls’ rights.
Custom and tradition must not be used as an excuse to undermine girls’ fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Policy:
Legal and policy provisions should be harmonized to ensure that threats to girls’ education are minimized. Legislation and policy should empower schools to take stern action against those who violate girls. Governments, with the co-operation of Teachers’ Unions, should lay out very clearly the policy procedures for dealing with perpetrators such as teachers, administrators, and learners.
A clear regional policy framework must be put in place so that procedures across the region are synchronized, preventing perpetrators from finding hiding places within the region.
Counseling and Support Services:
Governments and schools authorities must provide counseling and support services to survivors of violence. This must also include support with access to HIV testing and counseling should this be requested. In cases of sexual violence, girls should be provided with free Post Exposure Prophylaxis, given the high risks of HIV infection in this sub-region. In cases of unwanted pregnancy girls should have the right to exercise their reproductive choices.
Resources:
Governments must ensure adequate resources and budgetary support for policy and legislative implementation.
The role of schools
School authorities should ensure adherence to policies and procedures where these exist. In particular school heads must promote and protect the rights of female learners.
Teachers and Teachers’ Unions
Teachers and their unions have a critical role to play in enhancing girls’ rights. We call upon teachers’ unions in the region to develop and or strengthen CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, that would guide healthy teacher – learner relations. Teachers’ unions must denounce those members of their profession who are found guilty of violence against girls.
Parents and School development Associations/Committees
Parents and SDCs/SDAs must take proactive roles to promote and protect the rights of girls. Of importance is that these structures must develop mechanisms for monitoring incidence of violence in schools.