Regional Child Protection Officer Raises Awareness on SHEA and GBV at St. Joseph Vocational Training Centre in Kamuli

Regional Child and Family Protection Officer for Busoga North Conducts Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse (SHEA) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) Awareness Session at St. Joseph Vocational Training Centre Kamuli on 6^th June, 2024.

In an effort to ensure compliance with the PSHEA policy and code of conduct by students, an awareness session was conducted by a Police Officer in the capacity of Regional Child and Family Protection Officer for Busoga North SP. Komutegeki Winnie who shared and emphasised on issues of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse within the institution but also in the wider community.

She explained the child rights with emphasis on the sexual reproductive rights for example freedom to express, a right to produce when of appropriate age, right to life and right to sex. She asked the youths to be brave when making sexual decisions as these have a significant impact on their future thus it is within their mandate to reject/stop sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse.

Further she defined Gender based violence (GBV) which is violence imparted on one because of their sex and that statics indicate females being victimised more than males much as males are too victimised but do not report hence encouraged male students to report as well and break the societal norms of a man should be strong and brave which do not safe guard them.

She noted that GBV can be physical, physcological, sexual or economic. She dwelled on Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) giving examples of rape, defilement, Female Genital mutilation (FGM), early marriages that is rampant in Busoga Region, indecent assault, teenage pregnancies among others, shared indicators of SGBV that included pain to the victim, blood stains, sexually transmitted infections and Disease, HIV/Aids, unwanted pregnancy among others which effects are so devasting especially to the Youth.

She observed that there are a number of referral pathways like; police, local council systems, probation office, health facilities, NGOs, CBOs, Courts of law, religious, cultural leaders, institutions like VTCs whose services are open to all including Youths.

Students acquired more knowledge and understanding evidenced through their active participation and high level of concentration, they expressed need for more sessions of a similar nature.

The Gender Officer Lydia Nanyonjo, appreciated the facilitator for honouring the invitation and argued the students to always add unto their knowledge whenever there is an opportunity and reminded them of the reporting channels within the instuition.

The PSHEA and GBV awareness session at St. Joseph Vocational Training Centre Kamuli was possible with funding from Austrian Development Cooperation and Jugend Eine Welt. This is part of the broader Gender Matters for Green TVET programme; a four-year initiative (2023-2026) implemented in five Don Bosco TVET Centres across Uganda and Rwanda.