Imkaan believes that if we are to end violence against women and girls, we need to take steps to prevent it from happening in the first place, and we cannot do this without effective work in schools. Schools provide the best opportunity for us to engage in work with children and young people which addresses everything from equality and respect to masculinity and media messages.
We want to see compulsory sex and relationships education (SRE) and we want this to be a Government priority. However, we do not want this to be a quick add-on in our schools. SRE should be part of a broader package of work which ensures that schools are safe environments for all children and young people, and places where learning is not inhibited by sexual and other bullying. If girls are being sexually harassed in our schools, then we are failing to protect them from harm, and we are fostering a culture that disrupts their education.
We know from our work at Imkaan, that black and ‘minority ethnic’ girls and young women can be targeted for sexual harassment in ways that are racialised. So we also want SRE to be delivered in ways that are appropriate, effective, and responsive to the realities of young people’s lives. Programmes need to have a clear analysis of gender and other intersecting factor such as ‘race’, sexuality, class and disability. We cannot simply teach respect without recognising the different ways that some groups are disrespected.
Marai Larasi
Executive Director, Imkaan
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