Next GENDERation toolkit launched
A multimedia toolkit dubbed Next GENDERation was on Thursday launched by the World Bank to support the effort to curb violent crimes and issues such as bullying, gang violence and sexual violence faced by youth.
The toolkit, which is available at youthjamaica.com, includes a range of educational videos, animation and material with reference to issues like gender-based violence, and is expected to be distributed in schools to teachers, counsellors and social workers.
According to Galina Sotirova, Jamaica’s World Bank country manager, social norms define what it means to be a man or woman and determine expected roles and behaviours which influence choices and relationships.
She said youth violence is a challenge that we all have to take on and in an effort to facilitate the collaboration between organisations working in youth-targeted and gender-specific violence prevention initiatives, the toolkit includes a directory of 85 youth violence prevention initiatives.
“We believe that if young men and women are to fully realise their potential and contribute to the development of a cohesive society, initiatives like the Next GENDERation project can help to equip them with the skills needed to build healthy and mutually respectful relations,” she said.
“International experience suggests that school and community-based programmes can provide youth with space to critically reflect on gender norms and can produce more gender-equitable attitudes concerning roles and responsibilities, including those relating to sex and dating, and can reduce reported use of physical and sexual violence with partner relationships.”
She hopes that the kit will be used as a catapult for a national campaign that will broaden the coalition to stop violence.
