Table 8: Checklist for developing and implementing the school SRGBV policy

Table 6 National policies as guides for SRGBV mainstreaming: Uganda

Legal Instrument

Uganda Specific provisions SRGBV area addressed

The National Orphans and other Vulnerable Children Policy, 2004 The Refugee Act, 2006 The Second National Strategic Program Plan of Intervention for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (NSPPI II 2011/12-2015/16) The main provisions are around child protection and prevention of violations of the rights of children who are vulnerable and are more likely to be at risk and in hazardous and even life threatening situations. Refugees, orphans and other vulnerable children.

Circular Director of Education (7 August 2006) Directed that each school’s Management Committee or Board of Governor’s approves a school disciplinary policy and also ensure that a punishment book is maintained by the school. Disciplinary policy and records.

Education Act, 2008. Teachers can be deregistered because of misconduct. Misconduct is defined to include professional misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the physical, mental or moral wellbeing of any learner in any school (Sec 14). Teachers’ conduct

The Computer Misuse Act, 2011/ The Anti-Pornographic Act, 2014. Prohibit the production, participating in the production, trafficking in, publishing, broadcasting, procuring, importing and exporting of pornographic material-materials depicting images of children with the primary purpose of causing sexual excitement. Cyber violence

The National Plan for Action on Elimination of Child Labor 2012/132016/17.

National Referral Pathway for Prevention and Response to Gender Based Violence Cases in Uganda, 2013. Children in exploitative and commercial sex are a key target group as they are considered among those in worst forms of child labor. Child labor and sexual exploitation

Provides guidance to service providers/practitioners and victims/ survivors about what to do and where to seek services in case of SR/ GBV. Response and referral

Reporting, Tracking, Referral and Response (RTRR), 2014. Provides clear reporting, tracking, referral pathways and responses that learners, teachers, parents, community members and school administrators need to follow when they encounter or are confronted with SRGBV. An SRGBV responsive RTRR system that is in line with the national targets and indicators.

National Strategy and Plan of Action on Violence Against Children in Schools (2015-2020). The overall goal of the strategy is to ensure measures are in place to prevent, protect and respond to violence against children in schools. It has specific performance indicators for benchmarking and measuring progress. An SRGBV responsive school- both systems (internal) and procedures (external).

Children (Amendment) Act, 2016. Sections- 7: Harmful practices; 8: Harmful employment; 8A: Sexual exploitation; 42A: Protection from all forms of violence; 42B: Prevention and early intervention; 106A: corporal punishment. All forms of violence.

Handbook for alternatives to Corporal Punishment, 2017. Provides a set of positive behaviour management strategies in schools. Positive discipline.

Revised Guidelines on Prevention and Management of Teenage Pregnancy in school settings in Uganda (2020). Ensure pregnant girls and child mothers are supported to continue and complete their education during pregnancy and after delivery. Retention and re-entry of pregnant girls

Framework for provision of continued learning during the COVID 19 lockdown in Uganda, 2020 Ensure that every child can stay safe while still acquiring knowledge in both health and academic sectors. Child safety and continued learning.

Table 7: National policies as guides for SRGBV mainstreaming: Nigeria

Legal Instrument Specific provisions SRGBV area addressed

The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (the VAPP Act) Section 1:1 Rape; 1:2 Punishment; 1:3 Victim compensation. Section 2 Physical violence. Section 3; 14; 21 Psychological violence. Section 4; 17; 18 Fear and threatening. Section 5; 22 Sexual violence. Section 6; 20; 25; 26. Harmful cultural practices. Section 7 & 8 Obstructing justice. Section 10 Depriving of freedoms. Section 11 Destruction of property with intent to cause distress. Section 12; 16 Economic abuse and abandonment. Safe school environment. Addresses issues of response; justice and recompense for victims and penalties for offenders.

The Child’s Rights Act (CRA) 2003

Section 221 (1) (b) CRA, 2003 Measures to be taken to promote children’s rights include protecting school children from acts aimed at curtailing their studies. This could cover sexual violence, corporal punishment and bullying. An SRGBV responsive school- both systems (internal) and procedures (external). Part I: Best interest of a child. Part II: Rights of a child. Part III: Protection of Rights of a child.

Specifies that no child shall be ordered to be subjected to corporal punishment. However, there are contradictory laws; e.g. as at 2019; Article 295 of the Criminal Code (South), Article 55 of the Penal Code (North) and the Shari’a penal codes in the Northern states confirm the right of parents to use force to “correct” their children. Corporal punishment.

National Guidelines and Standards of Practice on Orphans and Vulnerable Children, 2007. Provide guidance for the development and implementation of interventions for the care, support and protection of orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria. Orphans and vulnerable children.

Cyber Crimes Prohibition Preventions Act, 2015 The Act provides an effective, unified and comprehensive legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of cybercrimes in Nigeria. Section 23: Child pornography and related offences. Section 24: Cyber stalking. Cyber violence.

National Policy and Plan of Action for the Elimination of FGM/C in Nigeria (2013–2017) Prohibits and provides penalties for the act of FGM. Harmful cultural practices.

Education Sector COVID-19 Response Strategy, 2020 Provides comprehensive and coordinated actions to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic’s immediate, medium- and long-term impact on the nation’s education sector. Child safety and continued learning.