Since 2017, Amnesty International has utilised Human Rights Education (HRE) to fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage across over 60 communities in Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. In 2024, their efforts expanded to encompass all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), further demonstrating their commitment to creating safer communities for all.
This training initiative equips community members with the knowledge and skills to challenge gender-based violence, addressing its root causes. By fostering understanding and changing attitudes, Amnesty International believes in empowering individuals to take action. While legislative measures are crucial, community collaboration is essential for effectively combating GBV, with trained professionals as pivotal players in the prevention efforts.
Key figures such as teachers, healthcare providers, and journalists are integral to the mission. These advocates are trained to embed human rights education within their environments, thereby promoting safety and justice. Collaboratively, Amnesty International works with these professionals to enhance community awareness regarding GBV.
Teachers serve as fundamental mentors, often the first line of defence against violence in schools. By educating themselves on gender-based violence, they can better support vulnerable students. Training sessions engage them in different methods, enabling them not only to learn but also to adopt innovative educational techniques.
In Burkina Faso, activities like Razz ball games foster community discussion, encouraging dialogue between students, teachers, and parents about GBV’s effects. Such engagement promotes a cooperative spirit towards challenging and reducing violence in schools.
Midwives also play a crucial role in educating communities about GBV. Through specialised training, they can now identify and respond effectively to instances of violence. Initiatives in Senegal highlight the connection between reproductive health and GBV, with midwives actively raising awareness and linking survivors to support services.
Journalists are vital transmitters of information regarding GBV. By expanding their understanding of the issues, journalists can impact community perspectives through their reporting. Combined training sessions, where journalists and healthcare professionals collaborate, amplify outreach efforts, engaging isolated communities through informative broadcasts.
Since 2020, Amnesty International has reached thousands, training over 40,000 professionals and catalysing nearly 830 community actions to combat GBV. Such initiatives have resulted in crucial reporting and subsequent legal actions against abuses, reflecting the programme’s broader legislative impact in the region.
In a region where the UNFPA cites that 10 to 30% of women aged 15-49 have suffered violence, such community-driven education is essential. The prevalence of harmful practices like FGM and child marriage remains alarmingly high; hence, building knowledge and tools through human rights education can significantly nautralise GBV’s pervasive grip and influence on daily life.
Overall, the collaborative efforts of teachers, midwives, and journalists—empowered by HRE—are key to creating a community that not only recognizes the magnitude of gender-based violence but actively engages in creating a society free of such violence.
Amnesty International has worked since 2017 to combat gender-based violence (GBV) through Human Rights Education (HRE) in West Africa, expanding its focus in 2024. Key community members like teachers, midwives, and journalists are trained to foster awareness and fight against violence. The initiative has trained over 40,000 professionals, catalysing significant local actions against GBV, thus highlighting the importance of education in effecting change.
Amnesty International’s persistent dedication to Human Rights Education in West Africa reveals that empowering individuals and communities is crucial in tackling gender-based violence (GBV). Through structured training for teachers, midwives, and journalists, invaluable knowledge is disseminated, leading to increased awareness, action, and much-needed changes in attitudes. With the numbers stark, the importance of these community-based efforts continues to grow, showcasing the profound impact of education in achieving a violence-free environment for all.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
