Gender-based violence at school

A scenario-based activity helping teachers to understand in practice different concepts related to gender

A scenario-based activity helping teachers to understand in practice different concepts related to gender and stereotypes and violence connected to it that can happen at school

Objectives

Gain more understanding of gender-based concepts, stereotypes and violence on school grounds, its different manifestations and the caused behind it

Develop empathy for those who experience it directly

Discuss ways of addressing, as a teacher, abusive attitudes and behaviours at school

Indicative time

60 minutes

Facilitator & target group

Facilitator(s): one or more instructors
Target group: teachers/school staff

Preparation for the teacher

Print out the scenarios in the handout.

Explain that the activity will give the chance to explore concept related to gender and connected stereotypes and gender-based violence incidents that can happen at school through some scenarios of bullying/harassment on the grounds of gender. The aim is to understand why the violence arises, how it may affect the person experiences it and how we can respond to these kinds of incidents

Methodology – steps

1.

Divide participants into pairs or small groups, then select some of the following scenarios and distribute one scenario to each group.

2.

Ask the groups to discuss the scenario by expressing, one at a time, their opinions trying to answer the following questions:

What aspect of gender are involved in this scenario? Can you identify from the scenario what is the sex assigned to birth, gender identity, sexual orientation and gender expression of the characters presented?
Are you aware of any similar scenario happening in your school?
How do you feel about it?
how do you think the person involved feels?
What would you do in this situation?
What could be done to avoid this kind of episode?

3.

In plenary, each group present their scenario and the ideas developed to the others.

4.

The whole group discuss about principles for a more inclusive school policy to prevent and address gender-based stereotypes and violence.

5.

Encourage all participants to give their opinions on other groups’ outputs. Ask all participants to reflect: did your opinion change during the activity? Were you able to find interesting insights?

Debriefing and evaluation

Keep notes, as facilitator, creating basic guidelines and good practices to prevent and to respond to similar incidents related to gender-based discrimination in school setting.