Abstract:
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a worldwide concern that affects secondary school students with
different socioeconomic backgrounds. This study examined GBV prevention strategies among
students in Ilemela Municipal secondary schools in Tanzania. The study employed a mixed-methods
approach to collect and analyse data among respondents in the study area. Quantitative data were
analyzed by using descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression and qualitative data were analysed
by using content analysis. The assessment covered demographic information and the GBV prevention
strategies including, reporting methods, GBV desks, and prevalence of GBV campaigns. The results
showed that the study area used various GBV prevention strategies, in which GBV desks, workshops,
and counselling services were the most frequently used strategies. Different reporting methods for
GBV incidences were used by respondents, in which over 50% reported the use of GBV desks, while
small proportions preferred to report to local leaders (6.6%), teachers (3.7%), and religious leaders
(0.6%). This implies that respondents had more preference to report in the GBV desks than local
leaders, teachers and the religious leaders. Also, the study revealed that among the strategies, peer
education, workshops and counseling services had the highest proportions (52.8%, 55.3 and 58.53%),
respectively in addressing GBV in secondary schools was further found that workshops and counseling
services had statistically significant (p < 0.003 and p < 0.001 respectively) influence in seeking GBV
help. Basing on these results, this study recommends that the collective utilization of these strategies
would improve help seeking thus assisting in combating GBV among secondary school students. |
