Impact of Violence Against Girls on Their Educational Achievement: The Case of Government Secondary Schools in Harari Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the types, causes, and actors of violent acts and its impact against girl’s educational achievement at secondary schools, in Ethiopia. To carry out this study, a descriptive survey method was employed. The data was collected using questionnaire, interview, observation checklist and document analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis and interpretation was employed in order to come up with result. The finding of the study revealed that physical, psychological and sexual violent acts against girls in secondary schools are alarmingly continued. The types of physical violence practiced were beating with sticks, kneeling down, and sportive punishment. Whereas, threatening, mockery, spreading rumors, verbal assaulting and name calling are types of experienced psychological violence. Moreover; intimidation, sexual harassment and seduction are experienced types of sexual violence. Furthermore, Mal-examination practice, need for good grade, failing to observe anti violent regulations by school leaders, overcrowded classroom, lack of separate latrine for girls, teachers punitive attitudes, lack of counseling on sexual education, dressing in a peculiar manner are the cause for violence. Perpetrators of violent acts on their way to and from school are taxi or Bajaj drivers, out of school boys, male peers and teachers. Besides to this, the impact of violence on girl’s educational achievement are low self-esteem, low academic performance, school dropout and retention. To mitigate the existing problems, empowering girls club, developing anti-violent rules and regulations, awareness creation training should be arranged for concerned stakeholders. Appropriate and educative punishment should be taken upon perpetrators of violence by judicial authorities and school administrators to protect girls from violence and to ensure the rule of law. And also income generating activities should be established by NGOs and governments for girls from poor families.