GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, HIV and SCHOOLS Author: Marion Natukunda Tumusiime 1 1 AIDS Information Centre. Mobile:

Background to AIC: AIDS Information Centre – Uganda (AIC) is a Non- Governmental Organization established in 1990 to provide quality HIV & AIDS information, Counseling and Testing services AIC has since evolved from one centre to 8 Regional Centres strategically placed to cover the entire country. The VCT model has evolved into an integrated and comprehensive package of HIV Prevention, care &treatment, Social support & protection and Health & Community systems strengthening. Services provided in 8 regional Centres of Excellence and over 200 health facilities and community structures countrywide

AIC Services Behavior Change Communication (BCC) HIV Counseling and Testing services (HCT) Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (eMTCT) services ART services OVC Services Comprehensive Condom Programming Safe Male Circumcision (SMC) Cervical Cancer Screening HIV Care and Support Sexual reproductive Health Capacity building and development Laboratory Services (CD4/CD8 Cell counts) Health and Community Systems Strengthening Management of Medical Conditions

Issues: Gender‐based violence (GBV) is a global phenomenon that knows no geographical, cultural, social, economic, ethnic, or other boundaries. It occurs across all societies and represents a brutal violation of human rights, the worst manifestation of gender‐based discrimination and a major obstacle to the achievement of gender equality. It is tolerated and sustained by social institutions, including the school, the very place where we expect our children to be safe and protected. It is a serious obstacle to the right to education and learning, with implications for the ways that people understand and enact their social lives and exercise their citizenship.

Issues cont: School related gender based violence (SRGBV) includes any form of violence or abuse that is based on gendered stereotypes or that targets students on the basis of their sex. It includes, but is not limited to: rape, unwanted sexual touching, unwanted sexual comments, corporal punishment, bullying, and verbal harassment. Unequal power relations between adults and children and males and females contribute to gender violence. Violence can take place in school buildings, on school grounds, or going to and from school and may be perpetrated by teachers, students, or community members. Girls and boys can be victims or perpetrators.

Description: AIC Uganda and MOES with support from ADB have been involved in implementing an integrated HIV Prevention and SRH programs. The safe school program was a 2 year project conducted by AIDS Information Center Targeted year old students in 71 primary/ secondary schools Training programs for teachers, students and community volunteer counselors. Revision of national teacher codes of conduct Mobilizing local communities to address SRGBV Establishment of school health clubs. Provide periodic HTC services to students and teachers Conducted dialogues for parents and community members on SHR and GBV

Description: Quarterly project reviews and monthly monitoring meetings are held to handle problems and find solutions. Innovative use of student – selected community members to serve as counselors, a platform to sensitize parents and community members about gender violence and the need to delay marriage and keep girls in school Results on the changes in students and teacher knowledge, attitudes and practice relating to SRGBV have been assessed Pre and post- test comparisons between intervention schools and control schools was done Focus group discussions(FGDs) and Key informant interviews (KIIs) was used to collect data

Lessons Learned Corporal punishment has been reduced. Dialogues and counseling services are being used by victims and perpetrators of gender violence. School officials have noted that absenteeism and drop outs have decreased. Especially amongst the female gender Incidences of teenage pregnancies reduced and high completion rate noted Sexual relations between teachers and students have been reduced or stopped altogether in most schools. Incidents of early marriages are resolved with the concerned parties. Individuals wanting to report cases of gender violence still face barriers due to fear of reprisal, stigma and not understanding reporting procedures.

Next Steps: Strengthen linkages for the safe schools approaches. This include school- based and informal HIV prevention programs for the general schools populations in addition to specific groups such as orphans and vulnerable children Examine ways to weave the safe Schools curriculum into existing national school-based life skills programs and into pre- service teacher training courses

Acknowledgement We are greatly indebted to; ADB MOES MOH UAC Ministry of Local Government ICASA

THANK YOU