The Jades II project ended in January 2023... but this is not the end of young people's advocacy in the fight against gender-based and sexual violence in schools! The Young Leaders for Advocacy hope to be able to support the Niger Ministry of Education in finalizing the revision of school regulations, disseminating the new elements of the regulations throughout the country, and raising awareness among students on a massive scale.
On January 18, the JADES II project came to a close in Niamey. CSO members of the consortium (Solthis, Lafia Matassa, Equipop), Young Leaders for Advocacy (JLP), representatives from the Ministries of Health and Education, and technical and financial partners were in attendance. This day was an opportunity for the JLP to review in detail the activities carried out during the three years of the project (2020-2022):
The Ministry of Education's consideration of their recommendations to revise school rules in order to prevent, protect, and care for victims and witnesses of gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV).
PROGRESS
Following the survey and the #ZeroViolence campaign, the JLP held numerous discussions with members of the French Ministry of Education. A three-day workshop was held to consider the JLP's requests for amendments to Decree 0064. of March 16, 2020, on internal regulations for secondary schools. These recommendations were as follows:- Mention and incorporate definitions of gender-based violence and sexual violence into school rules.
- Detail the role of institutions in combating VSS
- Launch information campaigns throughout the year and the school curriculum.
- Provide for the appointment of a focal point in each institution to address issues of trust and confidentiality, support and guide victims and witnesses, and identify and punish perpetrators of violence.
- Make the school rules and regulations known and available to parents.
THE MOBILIZATION MUST CONTINUE
The Young Leaders for Advocacy took advantage of the January 18 forum to highlight the importance of continuing the ongoing action. Civil society must not relax its efforts to end VSS in the country's schools. Indeed, the YLP's demands have been heard, understood, and taken into account, but the revision of Decree 0064 has still not been signed! The project made it possible to:- put the fight against VSS on the agenda of the Nigerien Ministry of Education;
- strengthen the the skills of JLP in communication, advocacy, and on the topics of violence and gender equality;
- empower this group of young people collectively and individually.
