A major and nationwide survey on sexual safety of teenagers in schools has been launched in Ghana.
Dubbed the ‘SCHOOLS, SEX & SAFETY’ survey it is aimed at getting enough details about the sexual security of teenagers from harassment, abuse, proposals and rape.
The survey which is the first of its kind in Ghana is being coordinated by private media production house, EAA-Media productions.
The production company said in a statement that the aim of the survey is also “paint a nationwide picture of sexual safety in schools, and to call for a standardized structures to investigate abuses, prevent repeat sexual offenses by teachers, and create a safer environment in Ghana’s schools for students.”
The survey was launched on Monday which happens to be “the International Youth Day, whose 2019 theme is Transforming Education.”
“This nationwide survey recognizes a transformed education is one where schools are free of sexual abuse by teachers of students,” the statement said.
The trigger
In 2017, a group the Coalition Against Sexual Abuse embarked on a year-long campaign called ‘STOP SEX ABUSE IN SCHOOLS!’
It followed several reports of sexual abuses suffered by teenagers, mostly girls in the hands of their teachers.
There have been calls for the government to deal with the increasing cases of sexual harassment, abuses and rape in schools, in order to make such learning environments safer for students.
According to the Department For International Development (DFID) “there is an economic cost to sexual abuse, violence and harassment.”
Its latest research noted that sexual abuse, violence and harassment “take a toll on the economy, beyond the cultural issues and approach Ghana takes to such issues.”
There is enough evidence according to EAA Media Productions that shows a surge in media reportage on sexual abuse, harassment and rape in schools in Ghana.
The production company also said in its statement that the various instances of sexual abuses and “collective work led to the launch of this nationwide survey.”
The survey initiative is getting support from Ghana’s National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Coalition Against Sexual Abuse (CASA), The Safe Space Foundation, Mobile Web and Visuals for Gender, and Dr. Mary Apea Ashun, Head of Ghana International School.
The survey will be conducted over the next 12 months, with results delivered in August 2020.
Source: Africafeeds.com
