Schools address gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Location: Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

In 31 primary and secondary schools and neighboring communities in Katanga Province, the C-Change project is equipping girls and boys ages 10–14 to resist and report school-related, gender-based violence and is providing support when it occurs. The project has trained more than 200 teachers and established codes of conduct, classroom regulations and procedures for both preventing and addressing such violence. The project's community radio and strategic use of media encourage parents and other community members to support change both inside and outside the classroom: 861 radio spots were aired and six in-depth radio shows were broadcast 17 times from September through December 2011. Publications, school curricula, referral guides and a comic book series have been produced and distributed. Additionally, 154 youth club leaders have been trained as peer mentors. The project's comprehensive approach is changing attitudes and beliefs, while helping to guarantee a safe and secure learning environment.