“I am Sahan and I was excited to be selected to a new school due to my excellent O/L results.

Dancing is my favorite subject. Within a short period of time, I excelled in this subject and was acknowledged by my teachers but my popularity and talent was not accepted by my fellow students. They harassed me but I was very patient and always treated them kindly as a friend. But their goal was to make me hate the subject.

The tables turned sooner than I expected and I was at a stage where I was unable to tell my problem to either my parents or my teachers and I eventually had to select different subjects.

The above short incident brings focus to the issue of Gender Based Violence that is prominent in many schools. Violence could be verbal, physical or mental and is identified according to the manner and place where a person faces violence.

School is not restricted to its buildings and other physical resources; instead it is a place that brings up a new generation of leaders who are educated, decent and portray characteristics such as love and respect to the rest of the human race. Many students face injustice even within schools which is commonly known as School Related Gender Based Violence or in short SRGBV.

This could happen in many ways.  Verbal harassment could happen through children being unlawfully blamed by teachers. Gender based physical violence can happen for both heterosexuals and homosexuals.

According to global statistics, many school going children between the ages of 13 to 15 face  gender based violence, and every girl out of 10 is said to be either physically harassed or sexually abused. In a study conducted in Peru, Chile and Thailand, the statistics reveal that 55% of the LGBTQ students face GBV in schools. 

Children face these forms of violence due to various reasons. One is that the staff and the students are strongly attached to social norms and they find LGBTQ students as those who go against the social norm. Second, is that violence is used as a method to showcase one’s power. Third, is that once a child faces harassment due to his/her gender, he/she does not take necessary measures to stop others from doing so.

School related gender based violence has many negative consequences such as being injured, unexpected pregnancies, anxiety, short term memory loss, being ashamed, feelings of anger,  reduced interest in educational activities, low marks in exams and depression which could finally lead to suicide.

Ending School related Gender Based Violence cannot be done by a single person, but by the joint effort of all those who are involved in education and child protection. The school environment could be made safe and fruitful to each and every student. Furthermore, government and non-governmental organizations can conduct school based awareness programmes. Awareness programmes for staff must focus on gender equality.  This will lead to a healthy school environment that loves, respects and treats every student the same irrespective of their gender or sexual orientation. Finally, a law that protects the rights of children must be implemented and should be put into action.

“apiwemuekamawakagedaruwo

Ekaniwasehi Wadena

Ekapatathiekarudhiraya we

Apa kaya thuladuwana

Ebawinapiwemusoyurusoyuriyo

Ekalesaehi Wadena.”

Written By: Kasuni Katugampola.

Translation and Editing By:  Desaree Soysa.