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

This presentation describes a comprehensive approach to promoting 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 presentation also examines how various stakeholders (school administrators, teachers, parents, community members, male and female students) were engaged through a multi-faceted behavior change communication strategy. The project was based on a model of social and behavior change communication that utilized advocacy, community and social mobilization, and various communication channels to change social and gender norms and promote actions by schools and communities to create a safer environment for young people. The presentation will compare baseline and endline data examining attitudes and behaviors of key stakeholders (male students, female students, teachers and parents) in 31 target schools and communities as well as a number of neighboring communities which served as a control group. 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.