violence

12
Mar
2026
Combating gender-based violence in schools: international webinar and launch of a new training programme

Combating gender-based violence in schools: international webinar and launch of a new training programme

School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) affects millions of students around the world every year. It not only compromises the safety and well-being of children and adolescents, but also hinders their access to inclusive and equitable education.

In this context, UNESCO, the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI) and UNICEF are organising an international webinar on 18 March 2026 dedicated to preventing and responding to gender-based violence in schools. This event will also mark the global launch of a new online training module on SRGBV, accessible via UNICEF’s AGORA learning platform.

The webinar will bring together government representatives from South Africa, Jamaica and Laos, as well as young leaders, teachers and civil society organisations involved in preventing violence in and around schools. Discussions will highlight concrete solutions for strengthening educational policies, teaching practices and mechanisms for protecting students.

The new online course offers a set of evidence-based resources, including practical tools, feedback and contributions from adolescents, feminist activists, institutional actors and public officials. The aim is to support education systems in developing effective strategies for preventing and addressing gender-based violence.

This webinar is an opportunity to share international experiences and identify levers for action to create safer, more inclusive and gender-equitable school environments.

Practical information

Date: 18 March 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (Paris time)
Simultaneous interpretation: English, French, Spanish and Hindi
Registration: registration link

Posted by Didier in News
13
Jan
2025
Webinar 27 January 2025 – Positive Masculinity and Gender-Based Violence Prevention: Global Context and Findings from Armenia

Webinar 27 January 2025 – Positive Masculinity and Gender-Based Violence Prevention: Global Context and Findings from Armenia

The persistence of harmful gender stereotypes and toxic masculinity is a significant global concern, contributing to various forms of gender-based violence and reinforcing unequal gender dynamics. The United Nations, UNESCO and UNAIDS have long recognized the importance of engaging men and boys in promoting gender equality. Through initiatives like the Joint Positive Masculinity Project, recently implemented in Armenia, these organizations aim to foster positive gender roles, encourage non-violent behaviour, and reduce harmful stereotypes worldwide. To effectively address these challenges, engaging young men and boys in reshaping societal norms is essential.

Under the UNESCO and UNAIDS Joint Positive Masculinity Project, a comprehensive social media campaign was launched in Armenia to engage young men aged 16-25 in a critical dialogue around masculinity, gender equality, and non-violence. This campaign was informed by a study of young men’s understanding of masculinity and aimed to challenge harmful masculinity stereotypes and promote positive behaviours by offering culturally relevant, interactive digital resources.

Speakers are:

  • Professor Didier Jourdan, Chair holder of the UNESCO Chair and WHO Collaborating Centre on Global Health and Education
  • Professor Maria Lohan, UNESCO Chair in Gender Equality, Queen’s University Belfast
  • Elena Kiryushina, Youth and Gender Equality Officer, UNAIDS Regional support team for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
  • Armi Mkrtchyan,Project Coordinator and Gender Officer at UNESCO IITE’s TeensLIVE Armenia
  • Ekaterina Samolygo, Project Coordinator, UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE)

The webinar is moderated by Goof Buijs, manager of the UNESCO Chair on Global Health and Education.

The webinar will take place on Monday 27 January 2025 from 13.00 – 14.30 CEST in English.

Register for the webinar today. The link to the webinar will be sent to you after registration.

More information.

Posted by Didier in News
31
Oct
2023
Webinar – Violence and bullying prevention in school, 6 November 2023

Webinar – Violence and bullying prevention in school, 6 November 2023

Violence and bullying in schools deprive millions of children and adolescents of their fundamental right to education. A recent UNESCO report revealed that more than 30% of the world’s students have been victims of bullying, with devastating, immediate, mid- and long-term consequences on academic achievement, school dropout, and physical and mental health. Exposure to the risks of violence and bullying has increased for many learners where education systems are not fully prepared for the increased use of digital technology in teaching and learning, as highlighted by the 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report. Violence and bullying is often perpetrated as a result of gender norms and stereotypes.

Though some may think it is inevitable, in fact, it is preventable and its harm can be reduced. There are effective approaches to prevent, reduce and respond to violence and bullying and educators, learners, parents and other actors have important role to play in it.

Speakers from the World Anti-Bullying Forum, UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education, Global Education Monitoring Report Team, UNESCO Health and Education Section and UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education will address the following questions during the webinar:

  1. Are violence and bullying just part of growing up? How they affect children and adolescents, their mental health and why gender matters?   
  2. Is it possible to end violence and bullying in school? If yes, what makes prevention and response to bullying effective? 
  3. How education systems can protect learners from the adverse consequences of technology use, specifically online violence including cyberbullying and mental health issues?
  4. What can decision/policy makers, educators and learners do to prevent and decrease bullying, in particular, in the context of increasing use of digital technology in education? 
  5. What practical tools are there for educators and other stakeholders to effectively address violence and bullying in school?

Speakers are:

  • Ms. Frida Warg, Managing Director, World Anti-Bullying Forum, Sweden
  • Ms. Nicola Gray, Co-chair holder, UNESCO Chair on Global Health and Education, Senior Lecturer, University of Huddersfield, UK
  • Mr. Manos Antoninis, Director of the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report
  • Mr. Yong Feng Liu, Project Officer, UNESCO Health and Education Section
  • Mr. Tigran Yepoyan, UNESCO Health Education Advisor for Eastern Europe and Central Asia

The webinar is moderated by Goof Buijs, Chair manager, UNESCO Chair on Global Health & Education.

The webinar will take place on 6 November 2023 from 14.00 – 15.30 CET in English.

Register for the webinar today. This webinar will also be broadcasted live on the UNESCO Chair Global Health & Education YouTube Channel.

More information

Posted by Didier in News