School-Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) in Lebanon
It is well known that the cultural norms and the patriarchal society in Lebanon contribute to encouraging discrimination and any form of violence against women and children. More specifically, GBV in schools (SRGBV) and universities (URGBV) go unchecked in the face of indifference from the institutions’ administrations, community and the Ministries within the country. Hence, the health and educational implications and consequences of GBV in schools and universities had to be assessed and confronted resulting in a national survey falling within the framework of the project “Supporting Gender Equality in Education in Lebanon” funded by the Government of Italy.
The study discussed in this report aimed at contributing to the promotion of gender equality and education for girls and boys, by generating knowledge that raises awareness and fights against the phenomenon of SRGBV. Its main objectives were:
1. To provide a comprehensive account of the nature and the extent to which the phenomenon of SRGBV occurs in or in relation to education settings in Lebanon.
2. To examine the root causes of school related gender based violence and its main perpetrators. 3. To study the impact of school gender based violence on students in general and girls in particular, and on their educational choices and achievement.
4. To examine the complain avenues and the referral processes used by children and adults in cases of violence and/or abuse, assessing issues related to both physical concerns and human resources aspects.
The methodology adopted in the study was a cross-sectional design, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative approach followed structured questionnaires targeting school students (12-18 years old) and university students (18-24 years old). Whereas the qualitative approach used Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews and semi-structured interviews targeting children and youth aged 5 to 11 years old, stakeholders, school directors, teachers, health coordinators, and parents.
