UNESCO urged its member states to take stronger action to protect students from violence in school in a statement yesterday on International Day Against School Violence and Harassment. The organization noted that only 32 countries have a comprehensive legal framework to address school violence, highlighting the need for better protection against physical, verbal, and psychological abuse.
UNESCO stated that every child should feel respected and safe at school so that they can thrive academically, but many students continue to face violence, including online through social media. UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, pointed out that school violence has serious repercussions for both learning and students’ mental health.
UNESCO in a report entitled “Learning and Thriving Safely: Ending School Violence in and through Education,” is calling for enhanced public policies, clear standards, and multi-sectoral cooperation to combat these issues. Only 16% of countries have implemented comprehensive laws to combat school violence.
Statistics reveal troubling trends. Nearly one in three school students reports being physically attacked at least once a year, and one in three faces bullying every month. Cyberbullying is also on the rise, now affecting one in ten children.
UNESCO warns that such violence can lead to serious mental health challenges, including loneliness, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts among victims. Girls are especially vulnerable, with up to 25% of adolescent girls experiencing gender-based violence at school.
Established in 2019, UNESCO’s International Day Against School Violence and Harassment on the first Thursday of November each year raises awareness of these critical issues.