Ecuador Sets Plan to End Sexual Violence in Schools
-
Loading... - Baniti Emad
- 29 Oct 2024
- 192 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has signed a decree for a Public Policy to Eradicate Sexual Violence in Schools, a crucial step towards addressing the widespread problem of sexual violence in schools. The policy outlines the government's plans to tackle sexual violence through 2030, including prevention, response, and access to justice and reparations for survivors.
Sexual and gender-based violence is endemic in Ecuador's schools, with over 6,500 reported cases affecting 7,303 children across the country between 2010 and 2020. However, these numbers are likely underestimates, as many cases go unreported.
The policy responds to measures ordered by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the Paola Guzmán Albarracín v. Ecuador case, the court's first case on school-related sexual violence. It outlines the government's commitments to prevent and respond to sexual violence, disseminate information and data, and provide access to justice and reparations.
Despite the policy's importance, its implementation faces significant challenges. The education system lacks resources, including student welfare teams, and often prioritizes protecting staff and school reputations over student welfare. The judicial system also faces challenges, including limited financial and human resources, which hampers efforts to guarantee effective justice for children.
The policy lacks adequate long-term funding, which could affect its implementation and reinforce existing barriers to response. For example, the estimated budget for "access to justice and reparations" through 2030 is only $1.5 million, while the Judiciary Council requires a yearly budget of $22 million to maintain its services.
The policy's goal to provide 90% of staff involved in administrative and judicial proceedings with at least one training session on sexual violence by 2030 is limited, and overlooks the need for ongoing training on sexual and gender-based violence. Additionally, the policy fails to increase the number of staff needed to investigate sexual violence cases against children.
Inconsistent funding and budget cuts have historically stalled efforts to address school-based sexual violence. The Ministry of Education's funding for prevention and response of sexual violence has fluctuated over the years, and funding to address gender-based violence was not fully spent in 2023 and was reduced in 2024.
The government should meaningfully involve Ecuadorian civil society organizations and children in the development of the policy's operational plan, as well as in its implementation and evaluation. The lack of involvement of civil society organizations and children in the finalization and introduction of the policy is a concern.
The government's commitment to preventing and tackling school-related sexual violence is a crucial step forward. However, the policy's implementation requires adequate resources, meaningful civil society involvement, and a commitment to addressing the systemic challenges that have hindered efforts to address sexual violence in schools.
