News
Young people take the frontline in combating gender-based violence on their campus
Every year from 25th November to 10th December the world commemorates the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. This global campaign starts on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25th November) and runs until 10 December on Human Rights Day.
In supporting this initiative, UNESCO O3 PLUS project in collaboration with 11 Higher Learning Institutions including the University of Dodoma, University of Iringa, University of Dar es Salaam, Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy, Kampala International University Tanzania, Tanzania Institute of Accountancy, Ruaha Catholic University and Mbeya College of Health and Allied Science together with government entities (Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, regional commissioner's office, Police force) and youths commemorate this event through series of events that took place in four regions in Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mbeya and Iringa).
The event brought together over 2000 young people who were on the frontline in conveying messages against gender-based violence acts and enhancing awareness about why the community should invest in education to prevent gender-based violence. This was done through peaceful demonstrations, symposiums, presentations, entertainment, and city clean-up.
Keeping quiet on issues of gender-based violence will delay us to end GBV, let’s speak out
In addition, on this occasion, UNESCO shared key insights from the O3 PLUS Project's baseline study (2022) concerning the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of students and staff in Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions regarding Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The findings highlighted that around 60% of students lack sufficient knowledge about GBV.
I am pleased to hear and learn about the O3 PLUS Project, this project is relevant to university students especially in addressing and reducing GBV incidences and creating a safer learning environment, my call to all students is to continue breaking the silence and report any GBV act and make effective use of gender desks that are existing in your institutions
UNESCO O3 PLUS Project seeks to ensure that young people in higher and tertiary education institutions (HTEIs) achieve positive health, education, and gender equality outcomes through sustained reductions in new HIV infections, unintended pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence.
I now know several places where students can go and report GBV incidences. I will make sure that I pass this knowledge to my fellow students to enhance GBV incidence reporting
Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE)
