Don Bosco Gatenga Technical Secondary School Rolls Out Policy to Prevent Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse
By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU
Don Bosco Gatenga Technical Secondary School, through the Gender Matter for Green TVET project, has begun the dissemination of the Policy on Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse (PSHEA) among various stakeholders, starting with teachers and school management who interact closely with the youth pursuing careers at the school.
This policy was developed by experts following a specialized research conducted at institutions involved in the Gender Matter for Green TVET Project, specifically in Rwanda, the research targeted Don Bosco Gatenga TSS and Don Bosco Muhazi TSS which are part of this Project that is also being implemented in three other salesian Technical schools in Uganda.
The project aims to enhance the education of girls in technical courses and is funded by the Austrian government in partnership with Jugend Eine Welt and implemented by the Salesians of Don Bosco.
Ms. Uzamureba Clementine, the Gender Officer for the Gender Matter for Green TVET at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS, emphasized that the launch of the policy’s dissemination among stakeholders carries the theme: “Prevention of Sexual Violence is everyone’s responsibility.” The policy aims to create a safe environment for young people within Salesian institutions.
She highlighted the importance of providing a secure environment for children to facilitate effective learning, stressing the need to protect them from all forms of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and abuse.
The collaboration with the Gender Matter for Green TVET Project identified a necessity to strengthen policies safeguarding children from violence, leading to the initiation of activities to spread awareness among educators and individuals interacting with students at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS.
Brother Patrick Ntigururya, a Salesian missionary in Gatenga, underscored the significance of implementing policies to protect children from violence, particularly in environments where young people from diverse backgrounds converge. He emphasized the policy’s role in ensuring a safe space for children within Vocational and Technical Schools.
Ms. Irankunda Annie, an electrical engineering teacher at Don Bosco Gatenga TSS who participated in training on the PSHEA policy, expressed gratitude for gaining knowledge about the policy and readiness to enforce it.
She acknowledged the training and signing the policy’s importance in reminding educators of their responsibilities in recognizing and preventing various forms of violence within the school environment.
