International IDEA, Oyo Govt Adopt Framework To Tackle School-Related SGBV

By Oluwatoyin Adeyemi

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), in collaboration with the Oyo State Government and other stakeholders, has adopted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to strengthen efforts to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in schools.

The framework is designed to establish clear procedures for reporting, investigating and prosecuting cases of school-related SGBV, while ensuring that affected children receive timely, appropriate and survivor-centred support.

The adoption followed a stakeholder validation workshop held in Ibadan on Wednesday under the European Union-supported Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria (ESGBV) Programme, implemented by International IDEA.

The workshop brought together representatives of government ministries, justice and law enforcement agencies, social workers, the media and child protection organisations to review and validate the proposed framework.

Speaking at the event, Melissa Omene, GBV Policy and Strategy Development official with International IDEA’s ESGBV Programme, said the initiative was part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and institutional response to violence against women, girls and other vulnerable groups.

She disclosed that International IDEA had worked with the Oyo State Ministries of Justice, Education, and Women Affairs and Social Development to develop the SOP.

Omene identified sexual harassment, sexual abuse, exploitation, bullying, harmful disciplinary practices and online abuse as some of the forms of violence threatening children’s safety in and around schools.

Citing available evidence, she said an estimated 44 per cent of female students and 35 per cent of male students in Nigeria had experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by teachers or classmates, while one in four girls experienced sexual violence before the age of 18.

She warned that school-related violence could undermine children’s wellbeing, disrupt their education and limit their future opportunities, with affected children facing increased risks of school dropout, poor mental health and early marriage.

According to her, the SOP would guide school administrators, teachers, counsellors, social welfare officers, healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies and other relevant institutions on identifying, reporting, referring and managing cases.

Earlier, Yewande Gbola-Awopetu, Head of the SGBV Response Unit at the Federal Ministry of Justice, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons.

She said the ministry would continue supporting the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and the Child Rights Act, while collaborating with state governments to strengthen legal protection and ensure accountability.

In his keynote address, the Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, represented by the ministry’s SGBV Coordinator, Barrister Kashifa Oloso-Olayinwola, pledged the state’s commitment to implementing the framework.

Aikomo described school-related SGBV as a serious threat to children’s safety, dignity and educational development, stressing that the existence of laws alone was insufficient without effective implementation.

He said the SOP would provide a common operational guide for institutions handling complaints, investigating allegations, making referrals, prosecuting offenders and supporting affected children.

He, however, emphasised the need for proper training, clear institutional responsibilities, confidentiality, timely referrals and measures to prevent the retraumatisation of child survivors during investigations and prosecution.

He added that the best interests, privacy, dignity and safety of affected children must remain central to every intervention.

The Attorney-General also called for sustained collaboration among government agencies, schools, parents, communities, civil society organisations and development partners to ensure that children are protected from violence.

The validation process culminated in the formal adoption of the SOP by the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.

Stakeholders noted that the success of the framework would depend on consistent implementation, adequate training of relevant personnel, effective inter-agency collaboration and institutional compliance to ensure that reported cases are properly handled and perpetrators brought to justice.