Development of an intervention to prevent school-related gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This presentation describes a comprehensive approach to promote positive social and gender norms to prevent and mitigate school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) among students ages 10-14 in primary and secondary schools of Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The project also targets school administrators and teachers, parents, and community members. It is based on a model of social and behavior change communication that utilizes advocacy, community and social mobilization, and behavior change communication strategies to change social and gender norms and promote actions by schools and communities to create a safer environment for young people. The presentation focuses on results from 168 focus groups with male students, female students, teachers and parents—one with each group(8-12 participants per group) in each of 42 schools. The discussions explore commonly occurring forms of SRGBV and the factors that contribute to it, as perceived by these various stakeholders in the school system. These results are being used both in curriculum development and in the design of mass communication strategies. Of particular interest are descriptions of the behavioral norms around gender and sexuality and the power relations that enable sexual and other forms of exploitation and violence against school children.