Document Abstract
Published:
1 May 2008
A study on violence against girls in primary schools and its impacts on girls’ education in Ethiopia
Reducing violence against Ethiopian school girls
With a focus on Ethiopia, this paper identifies and analyses the types, prevalence, major causes and effects of violence against girls in schools. It also aims to assess the availability and effectiveness of policies, rules and regulations and concludes with recommendations on ways to reduce violence against school girls.
Despite the legal provisions and efforts to reduce and eliminate violence against children, particularly girls, violence and abuse seem to be widespread in Ethiopia - taking place at home, in schools, and in the community at large. The findings of this work confirm the widespread practice of early and forced marriage. About 33 per cent of students, 68 per cent of teachers and 36 per cent of parents reported the existence of early marriage in their locality.
To understand why girls are subjected to so much violence and abuse in schools and on the way to and from it, the study developed a model which explains the clashes between the traditional gender role of girls and the norms and values underlying the modern world, represented by the school. By analysing social and cultural values that lie behind the traditional types of violence and abuse, such as abduction and early and forced marriage, an attempt is made to establish the overall picture of the traditional expectations of a girl child. The analysis shows the traditional norms and values related to girls, such as excessive workload at home and the need to be silent and obedient are creating clashes in meeting the requirements of the modern education system.
A number of concluding recommendations are made to the Ministry of Education/Regional Education Bureaus, the Ministry of Women's Affairs, schools and local education authorities, and local authorities, NGOs and CSOs, including:
Despite the legal provisions and efforts to reduce and eliminate violence against children, particularly girls, violence and abuse seem to be widespread in Ethiopia - taking place at home, in schools, and in the community at large. The findings of this work confirm the widespread practice of early and forced marriage. About 33 per cent of students, 68 per cent of teachers and 36 per cent of parents reported the existence of early marriage in their locality.
To understand why girls are subjected to so much violence and abuse in schools and on the way to and from it, the study developed a model which explains the clashes between the traditional gender role of girls and the norms and values underlying the modern world, represented by the school. By analysing social and cultural values that lie behind the traditional types of violence and abuse, such as abduction and early and forced marriage, an attempt is made to establish the overall picture of the traditional expectations of a girl child. The analysis shows the traditional norms and values related to girls, such as excessive workload at home and the need to be silent and obedient are creating clashes in meeting the requirements of the modern education system.
A number of concluding recommendations are made to the Ministry of Education/Regional Education Bureaus, the Ministry of Women's Affairs, schools and local education authorities, and local authorities, NGOs and CSOs, including:
- girls should not be regarded just as victims; they should be encouraged to play active role in introducing new practices and values into the traditional Ethiopian culture
- the education system and stakeholders must provide the necessary support to girls in achieving their goals
- institutions and stakeholders at all levels should strengthen gender component to the curriculum, and continuously educate and create awareness among school communities to stop physical, psychological and sexual violence and abuses
- institutions and stakeholders at all levels must also raise awareness among parents, communities and children about the children’s rights in general and school rules and regulations in particular.
