The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, operating through its Free Education Project Secretariat, is currently implementing a strategy aimed at mitigating School Related Gender Based Violence across the nation.
According to officials, this initiative aligns with the broader goal of ensuring universal access to quality education (FQSE) for all students nationwide. To support this endeavor, the Free Education Project Secretariat is presently conducting training sessions for Gender Professionals drawn from Local Councils, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Sierra Leone Police, and various governmental and non-governmental entities spanning multiple districts.
The primary objective of these training sessions is to foster community awareness regarding School Related Gender Based Violence, and to empower community stakeholders, parents, and students to actively combat instances of sexual, physical, emotional, and other forms of abuse within educational settings. Gender Rights Activists are undergoing training in Bo City, where they will be equipped to engage Board and School Management Committee members across diverse communities nationwide, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe and secure school environment for all stakeholders.
Margaret Kaitibie, a gender specialist involved in the project, emphasized that the training will also prepare participants to effectively raise awareness within their respective communities and schools concerning Gender Based Violence issues, with a particular emphasis on addressing sexual misconduct.
