Education is an important tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS. And while most schools are welcoming to children, some schools fail to provide the necessary protection for children to flourish and, in fact, may expose young people – especially girls – to violence. School cultures can contribute to gender violence. Often, gender stereotypes and inequities abound in the classroom, where different behaviours and roles are expected from girls and boys. Gender-based school violence takes many forms. Sexual harass- ment, aggressive or unsolicited sexual advances, touching, groping, intimidation, verbal abuse or sexual assaults are explicit forms of gender violence that can perme- ate school environments. Schools that are not safe or that promote gender disparity breed.
