Gender-based violence in schools: Benin case study Michele Akpo Project Director Academy for Educational Development October 2007

Gender-based violence in Benin Even though there is no quantitative data or strong evidence to prove the existence of gender-based violence in Benin schools, it is a persistent issue which is detrimental to girls’ education This presentation will discuss the facts about sexual harassment and abuse in schools, its implications on educating girls, and suggest ways to progressively eliminate this social issue in Benin

Presentation outline Benin education system: Background information Gender-based violence in schools: Facts Policy framework to address gender-based violence Ways to overcome gender-based violence Conclusion

Background information on Benin Population: 6.7 million Annual population growth: 3.2% Life Expectancy: 53 years old HIV prevalence rate: 1.8% Ranked 161st by UNDP Human Development Report in 2002

Basic education data Gross enrollment rate for primary school (both girls and boys): –1990: 41% –2005: 96% Survival rate through grade 5: 52% (2004) Gross enrollment rate for secondary school –1991: 10% –2005: 33% Transition rate for primary to secondary school: 51% (2002) Youth literacy rate, year olds: 45.3%

Girls’ education data Gross enrollment rates (GER) for girls –1990: 36% –2005: 85% Ratio of girls to boys’ GER in primary and secondary school –0.66:1 in 2002 –0.75:1 in 2004 Literacy rate for young women, years: 33.2% Source: Benin ten-year education development plan ( )

Are they all in school? Girls’ GER in primary school: 76% (2002) Boys’ GER in primary school: 91% (2002) Awareness campaign billboard For every 100 girls who enter primary school, only 47% in urban areas and 14% in rural areas are able to transition to secondary school compared to 70% of boys in urban areas and 39% in rural areas (UNESCO, Institute of Statistics – Statistics in Brief, Education in Benin)

Sexual harassment and abuse in school: Hindering girls’ education Obstacles to girls’ education such as cultural barriers and poverty have been discussed for a long time, and many interventions have been implemented to reduce these problems For a long time, however, sexual harassment and abuse perpetrated on girls in schools have not been discussed openly

Defining gender-based violence Gender-based violence is a broadly-defined term encompassing an array of behavior that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm to women or girls

Gender-based violence: Culturally accepted practice in the context of existing gender roles Examples of gender-based violence (abuse and traditional practices) –Early and/or child marriage –Levirate –Widowhood practices –Rape/kidnapping –Genital mutilation –Sexual harassment and abuse in schools and in the workplace

Gender-based violence in school: FINDINGS Schools do not always provide a safe environment for girls Parents and students report that sexual abuse is common Fearing family disgrace, victims and victims’ parents rarely come forward to bring this issue to law enforcement authorities

Gender-based violence in school: FINDINGS (con’t) Parents and victims do not often know that there are laws that protect them When girls are sexually abused, they fear going to school They also do not perform well and end up dropping out Parents are reluctant to send their daughters to school

Gender-based violence in school: HOW DOES IT HAPPEN? Teachers threaten girls by giving them bad marks Teachers promise girls good marks in exchange for sex Teachers and other “sugar-daddies” promise to give monetary compensation to girls in exchange for sex

Implications of sexual abuse in schools Poor performance Poor achievement Low self-esteem Health Issues: unwanted pregnancies, early pregnancies, unsafe abortions and death, exposure to HIV/AIDS and STDs Loss in national productivity

Legal framework The 1988 Ministry of Education policy to combat sexual harassment and abuse in schools –Punishes teachers who attempt to coerce girls to have abortions –Punishes girls who “provoke teachers”

Legal framework (con’t) The Family Code passed in 2004 addresses women’s rights in the home and in society, raises the minimum age for marriage, and outlaws polygamy

Legal framework (p.3) Law on Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Schools and the Workplace, passed in 2006, prescribes sanctions to deter sexual harassment and violence

Strategies to overcome gender-based violence in schools Recent laws need to be implemented and enforced Victims’ support channels need to be established The judiciary system needs to be strengthened Males need to be enlisted as champions of non-violence against women

Conclusion A systemic approach and strategy needs to be implemented to address gender-based violence in a sustainable way –Awareness raising about the existing laws –Consistent implementation and enforcement of laws to create a change in behavior towards girls and women –Establishment of strong victims’ support channels

THANK YOU

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