Ei-iE

Gender-based violence is a fundamental violation of human rights. It is one of the worst manifestations of gender-based discrimination, disproportionately affecting girls and women, and a major obstacle to achieving gender equality.

This is a global phenomenon that knows no boundaries geographical, cultural, ethnic, economic or other.

School-related gender-based violence is a serious obstacle to reaching the Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to achieving gender equality. As we accelerate our efforts towards meeting the EFA goals and elevate our educational ambitions for girls and boys in the post-2015 development agenda, it is critical that we maintain our commitment to gender equality in and through quality education.

Education International is a member of the Global Partners’ Working Group on school-related gender-based violence, which will help galvanize the international community to take a strong stand against school-related gender-based violence, help establish standards for response and promote the collection of evidence to monitor trends and improve practices.

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we call on everyone to act by joining the 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence and to place school-related gender-based violence high on the development agenda so as to ensure that schools are safe places where all children can learn without fear. All of us can contribute to these efforts and help trigger a large multiplier effect. The present and next generations of girls and women deserve no less.