Challenging social and gender norms to reduce violence against children in school

ended

At the level of the EU, violence in schools is one of the most visible and pervasive forms of violence against children. School related gender based violence (SRGBV) is resulted because of gender norms and stereotypes and enforced by unequal power dynamics. As such, gender plays an influential role in the prevalence of certain types of violence in school, girls being more prone to sexual and psychological violence, while boys, to physical violence. Researches show that across the countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and not only, the system of social and gender norms is increasing the use of violence, the acceptance of it and limiting the intervention of third parties. Therefore, addressing the gender dimension of violence against children in schools and challenging social norms become imperative not only to better understand the manifestations but also to enable professionals to design prevention programs through which boys and girls are made aware of and empowered to transform unequal and harmful gendered power relations. CARING project is based on an integrated and holistic approach to address SRGBV in 4 EU countries by working with young people to take action in preventing violence, with schools to reinforce their prevention measures, with educational staff to build their capacity to change behaviors and endorse positive attitudes, with parents/ carers to support young people in raising awareness, with relevant public institutions to improve cooperation with schools on violence prevention. The project is challenging social and gender norms, shifting behaviors of school staff and young people who, in turn, will become change agents promoting positive practices on gender-equity in their communities. This will be achieved through capacity-building activities with school staff from 32 schools; through trainings with young people, aged 13-18; through 32 child-led awareness-raising events, and round tables with relevant actors for multi-disciplinary cooperation. Therefore, the proposal is aiming at reaching the following specific objectives: • SO 1. At project inception to assess the specific social and gender norms which are promoting and maintaining GBV in the 32 selected schools from 4 countries. • SO 2. To increase the capacities of educational staff and school management (estimated 320) to adopt a tolerant, inclusive, and non-violent communication, behaviour and to promote positive practices related to gender-equity in schools. • SO 3. To improve the awareness and knowledge of at least 250 young people, aged 13-18 on gender stereotyping and gender equality with a focus on empowering them to become change agents and promote a non-violent behaviour and communication. • SO 4. To strengthen the multi-agency cooperation at local/county level in partner countries during the project and beyond in order to promote a gender-sensitive approach in their efforts to address prevention of violence in schools and communities.