St. John’s Integrated SHTS launches 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and harassment
The launch, held on Monday, December 1, brought together students and teachers who participated in a series of sensitization activities, including dramas on sexual harassment and creative paintings depicting various forms of abuse displayed on the school’s walls.
St. John’s Integrated Senior High Technical School in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region has launched its 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, focusing on raising awareness on gender-based violence and sexual harassment within the school community.
The launch, held on Monday, December 1, brought together students and teachers who participated in a series of sensitization activities, including dramas on sexual harassment and creative paintings depicting various forms of abuse displayed on the school’s walls.
Ernestina Pwadura, Assistant Headmistress in charge of Administration at St. John’s Integrated Senior High Technical School, stressed during the launch that all forms of harassment, physical, verbal, or psychological are unlawful and criminal.
She expressed concern about the increasing cases of harassment in senior high schools, involving both students and teachers, and encouraged victims to report such incidents to the appropriate authorities.
“According to the 2024 Afrobarometer survey, about 22 percent of Ghanaians, including students, are often harassed. Most of these harassments are sexual harassment either by colleague students or teachers.” She noted.
Pwadura further highlighted verbal abuse, online abuse, and bullying as additional forms of violence that must not be tolerated in the school environment.
As part of the launch, students and teachers, dressed with pieces of pink cloth around their arms, legs, heads, and necks marched through some main streets of Navrongo, engaging passersby and community members on issues of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.
Participants carried placards with messages such as: “Stop Online Harassment,” “Be an Ally, Not a Bystander,” “Digital Abuse Is Still Abuse,” “Harassment Is a Crime, Report It,” “Stop Violence Against Boys and Girls,” and “Stop Killing Us.”
Pwadura urged both teaching and non-teaching staff to become strong advocates against gender-based violence and avoid becoming perpetrators themselves.
As part of the 16-day campaign, the school will continue with a series of talks and advocacy programs aimed at promoting a safer and more informed school community.
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