USAID/Honduras School-Based Violence Prevention Activity: Gender and Social Inclusion Strategy

The activity is a crucial component of the Honduran Ministry of Education's (MOE) efforts to improve education quality and provide safe learning environments for all children. The MOE has made significant strides in improving education, with an 86% basic education completion rate and a high net enrollment rate in basic education. School-based violence remains a major threat to education quality in Honduras, with a significant impact on students' educational achievement. The MOE is concerned about reducing the impact of school violence on Honduran students. The USAID School-Based Violence Prevention Activity has developed strategic relationships with government officials, educators, and community members, and has received recognition and appreciation from students, parents, and stakeholders for its support. The activity's Gender and Social Inclusion Strategy is built on the findings of Asegurando's Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis, submitted to USAID in February 2018. This document outlines specific strategies for implementing the project's activities and work plan, as well as indicators and strategies for monitoring and evaluation to measure progress towards accomplishments in the gender and social inclusion strategy. To address gender-based violence, the strategy applies a gender lens to examine violence in Honduran communities. Gang violence and criminality are pervasive in many Honduran communities, often characterized by underlying gender dynamics. By applying a gender lens, the activity aims to understand existing gender norms, beliefs, and risk factors that promote, reinforce, or mitigate School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV). The strategy recognizes that school-based violence impacts both boys and girls, and seeks to address the unique needs and experiences of each group. The activity's objectives include improving schools' ability to reduce SBV through the creation of safe learning environments, strengthening local networks that increase school safety, increasing the capacity of the MOE and social protection actors to prevent and respond to SBV, and lowering risk factors and enhancing protective factors for students who qualify for secondary prevention services. The activity's strategies for implementation include overall strategies, specific approaches for students with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) students, ethnic minority students, and other vulnerable groups. The activity's monitoring and evaluation plan includes indicators and strategies for measuring progress towards accomplishments in the gender and social inclusion strategy. The plan recognizes the importance of addressing gender-based violence and promoting inclusive education practices that support the unique needs and experiences of all students. By applying a gender lens and addressing the root causes of school-based violence, the activity aims to create safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all children in Honduras.