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Connect with Respect: Empowering teacher educators in Uganda to Combat School-Related Gender-Based Violence
Connect with Respect
From October 7-11, 2024, UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports organized the National Training of Trainers in Jinja, under UNESCO's "Connect with Respect" initiative, an innovative program designed to combat School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) in classroom settings. The initiative seeks to equip teachers with practical tools to empower learners in upper primary and lower secondary in building respectful relationships and interactions, aiming to prevent school-related violence. It is part of the O3 program and aligns with the fourth objective of its second phase, which promotes safer, inclusive school and community environments, with linkages to accessible, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
The training was attended by education officials, district officials (Jinja, Namayingo and Kabarole), teacher trainers, civil society organizations, and gender specialists, as part of a larger pilot program aimed at addressing the widespread issue of SRGBV which affects learners. SRGBV, encompassing physical, sexual, and psychological violence, stems from deeply rooted gender norms and harmful stereotypes, contributing to early pregnancies, school dropouts, and limiting the potential of learners.
Connect with Respect
The highly participatory training focused on equipping teacher educators and stakeholders with practical skills and knowledge to foster positive and inclusive learning environments by establishing clear, supportive rules for safe spaces. Over the five-day training, seven key topics were broadly covered, including Gender and Equality, Gender Equality and Positive Role Models, Awareness of Gender-Based Violence, and School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) all framed within the Connect with Respect toolkit. Effectively, participants were able to gain valuable insights and tools to promote respect, challenge harmful stereotypes, and address violence through a whole-schools approach, creating a safer, more inclusive teaching and learning spaces that foster learning and development for all learners.
Other topics covered were Communication Skills for Respectful Relationships, Skills for People Who Witness Violence, and Help-Seeking and Peer Support Skills. These topics did not only integrate learning activities designed to fit within the current core curriculum but were also delivered through highly interactive methods. Stakeholders actively participated in group discussions, demonstrative learning sessions, and role plays that simulated real classroom settings, encouraging participants to brainstorm on emerging issues and share key observations.
Connect with Respect
Dr. Remmy Shawa, the lead facilitator of the training, highlighted that Connect with Respect is a curriculum-based approach designed to prevent gender-based violence in schools, with a particular focus on learners in upper primary and early secondary school. He stressed the importance of involving teachers not only as instructors but as ‘learners’ themselves. "Engaging teachers as 'learners' helps them undertake their own gender work, allowing them to reflect on their personal attitudes, behaviors, and experiences," Shawa noted.
By encouraging this self-reflection, educators can become more conscious of their roles in fostering gender equality in the classroom. He further urged the participants to actively engage in the activities, stating, "As you sample these exercises, think critically about what you are learning and consider what will be most beneficial for teachers in their own training." This hands-on approach ensures that educators gain practical insights to effectively promote respectful relationships and prevent school related gender-based violence, making the learning environment safer and more inclusive.
Ms. Rosette Nanyanzi, the Gender Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Education, commended UNESCO for the "Connect with Respect" initiative, noting that it will greatly reinforce existing government programs. "We are not only here to learn but also to gain skills to evaluate these programs," she emphasized. Ms. Nanyanzi acknowledged that despite the presence of government initiatives, concerning trends such as increased school dropouts persist, often without stakeholders addressing the root causes. "This training will help us tackle various challenges, particularly those related to SR-GBV in our educational institutions by taking proactive steps to address them more effectively.”
Ms. Joyce Atimango, one of the participants at the event reflected on the outcome of the training, noting that, “I have learned from this training the profound impact of positive communication skills in fostering respectful relationships, which can help prevent conflicts and create a safer space for all students” – Ms. Joyce Atimango
The training concluded with a focused action-planning session targeting various stakeholder groups. Some of the key planned action areas include conducting rapid needs assessments, mapping the pilot schools for the pilot programs, and orienting additional stakeholders on the "Connect with Respect" initiative, among other. Over 30 participants who completed the 5-day training were awarded certificates, symbolizing their readiness to implement the program.
I have learned from this training the profound impact of positive communication skills in fostering respectful relationships, which can help prevent conflicts and create a safer space for all students
Traditional gender norms that are harmful can be a root of conflicts in societies and efforts must be intensified to change beliefs and the social constructs.
