Amnesty International Nepal has focused a need of making schools safe for girls. Launching a report “Safe Schools: Every Girl’s Right” prepared by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International on 7 March on the eve of 99th International Women’s Day, the organization called on governments and school officials to take concrete action to end violence against girls inside schools. The report shows how violence in and around educational institutions remains pervasive. Girls continuously face the risk of being sexually assaulted, harassed or intimidated on their way to school or once inside school premises. Some girls suffer violence more than others. Particular groups, such as ethnic minorities or girls with disabilities, are at higher risk than their peers. At school, many girls face psychological violence, bullying and humiliation. Some are caned or beaten in school in the name of discipline. Girls are threatened with sexual assault by other students, offered higher marks by teachers in exchange for sexual favours, and even raped in the staff room. Attacks against girls in schools have both immediate and long-term impacts. Not only do girls suffer from the impact of violence on their physical and mental health, but in the context of education, the violence may cause girls to drop out and lose any hope of escaping poverty and political marginalization. Although international law requires universal primary education to be free of charge, many schools continue to levy charges. School fees and other charges are an insurmountable obstacle for many children, and girls are more likely to be excluded from school than boys when there aren’t enough resources in the family. Amnesty International has, therefore, drawn up a six-point plan aimed at government officials and bodies, including school officials, which includes, amongst other recommendations:
- Enacting and enforcing appropriate laws, policies and procedures prohibiting all forms of violence against girls, including corporal punishment, verbal abuse, harassment, physical violence, emotional abuse, and sexual violence and exploitation.
- Creating national plans of action in order to create a safe environment for girls. Those should include guidelines for schools and compulsory training for teachers and students.
- Teachers, school authorities and other state officials must promptly respond to reports of violence and ensure that a proper follow up mechanism is in place. That must include effective investigations and criminal prosecutions when appropriate and providing support services, including medical treatment, for victims and survivors.
Amnesty International is also calling on governments working to achieve the 2000 Millennium Development Goals to address violence and discrimination against girls. The goals, which aim to eradicate poverty, include calls for universal primary education and gender equality, but the government measures progress by the number of girls in class, without seeking to address violence and discrimination that keeps or pushes girls out of school. Acting Chairperson of Amnesty International Nepal Dhruba Kumar Karki launched the report while Director Rameshwar Nepal briefed about the report and campaign of Amnesty International in the press meet which was organized to launch the report. Advisor Nutan Thapaliya, General Secretary Chandra Kumar Adhikari, Members Geeta Neupane, Keshab Sigdel and Bikram Dhukuchhu were among others who attended the press meet.