Joanna Herat is the Acting Chief of Section for Health and Education at UNESCO HQ. Working at UNESCO since 2010, she provides strategic and technical leadership on education for health and well-being – promoting policy, research and good practice on school health, comprehensive sexuality education and ending all forms of violence in schools. She has a special focus on gender-based violence and the role of education in improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health. With over 20 years of professional experience, Joanna has worked in countries across Asia and Africa, with 10 years focussed specialised in the HIV response before joining UNESCO. Joanna holds a Masters in Anthropology of Development from the University of London.
Abstract
Abstract Title
Understanding different forms of violence in school – and effective whole-school responses
Violence in educational settings remains a problem in all countries. Psychological and physical violence in and around schools, including bullying and cyberbullying, gender-based violence and sexual harassment, undermines learning and has adverse physical and mental health consequences. Evidence collected over the past 10 years has led to concrete recommendations on how to prevent school violence in all its forms, and also how to respond in a learner-centred way. Whole school approaches require the involvement of all stakeholders – from teachers and school principals to parents, governing bodies and those responsible for child protection. With new data on the prevention of online violence, schools are even more centrally placed as part of the eco-system of safety and inclusion for all young people, whether online or off-line