A project launched to reduce violence against schoolchildren
“KPK Education Department, NGOs Launch Project to Address Violence in 1,000 Schools”
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department (ESED) partnered with non-governmental organizations to launch the Gender Mainstreaming and GBV for Human Capital Investment Project (KP-HCIP). The initiative, in collaboration with Rozan and Strengthening Participatory Organisation, aims to tackle gender-based violence and violence against children in 1,000 schools across 13 districts.
Deputy Secretary Shazia Ata highlighted the project’s goal of creating safe learning environments through comprehensive training for teachers, parent-teacher council representatives, and village education committees. The training sessions focus on addressing gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and exploitation, empowering 1,000 focal persons to ensure the effective implementation of policies and grievance mechanisms.
Interactive sessions involving 10,000 to 15,000 students and staff aim to raise awareness and encourage active participation in policy implementation. Fouzia Yasmin from Rozan emphasized their commitment to a violence-free society through various strategies including awareness, counseling, and advocacy.
Nilofar Bakhtiar of the National Commission on Status of Women stressed the prevalence of violence against women and children in Pakistan and praised the collaborative project as a multi-faceted approach integrating solutions within educational institutions.