WRITTEN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2024
The grounds of Maweni secondary school was honoured to host a Sex and Gender Based Violence event organized by Dream Achievers Youth Organization (DAYO) in partnerships with Canada,The Aga Khan Foundation, Sauti ya Wanawake, and Pamoja Tujijenge on Thursday 15th of February 2024.
The event was aimed at bringing schools together and educate them on matters sex and gender based violence in schools. In attendance was the host school, Maweni Mixed Secondary School, Mwakirunge Secondary, Mariman Secondary and Thika medical college. Students from these schools were also given a platform to showcase their talents through art as a way of passing information on the subject topic SGBV.
During the skills for life summit, it was evident that art is a form of entertainment that is used as a medium to pass information to the youths that is through poems, spoken word, music, drama and skits. In a panelist discussion led by Madam Jedidiah, it was made aware that both genders male and female of all ages can be victims of gender based violence, she also pointed out some of the very important steps one should take in case they fall victims of GBV for example in a rape case, one should first report the heinous act to the police station then see the doctor immediately after that for further assistance.
In an interview with Miss Randu who is a Gender Advisory Officer at DAYO, she advised that the youths should not be carried away by technology but instead put into practice what they are taught at home and at school, she adds that a SGBV free world creates a peaceful and safe space for the students to learn at school.
“I am very irritated by how technology is ruining our kids, kids are influenced with what they see since technology is a powerful tool that serves as a catalyst in promoting GBV, parents should be interactive with their children and make more efforts in instilling discipline in them.” She say.Speaking to one student of Maweni Mixed Secondary School during an interactive session he said that he is happy and privileged that his school holds programs on SGBV and through various organizations they are able to be educated on the same subject matter and even report such issues if any without fear .Religious and cultural beliefs such as gender stereotypes, expectations of femininity and masculinity among others contribute to normalization of GBV and it is true to say that most survivors of SGBV find it difficult to open up because GBV affects not only the physical well being of an individual but also their physiology and social life as well.
In other cases, survivors at some point might have tried to report such acts but they end up being closed or thrown away due to lack of evidence, such incidents may have everlasting disasters in their later future life and this in one way encourages the acts of GBV with the perpetrators going scot free.It is important that school offers educative programs on SGBV to both parents and students. Life skills lessons should also be part of the education curriculum since this will help the students understand importance of gender equality, promote transparency and secure their health and well being.In conclusion, everyone has a role to play in stopping all forms of SGBV. Constantly hyping up such topics contributes in heightening awareness of SGBV which is a violation to human kind.
Written by: Tabitha Mokeira Mong’are
