KPHCIP Expands GBV and Child Protection Awareness Campaign to 48 Schools Across KP -

STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR : The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project (KPHCIP), implemented by the Elementary and Secondary Education Department with support from the World Bank, has expanded its community engagement campaign on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) to 48 government primary schools across the districts of Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi and Haripur.

Building on the successful completion of Phase I, the ongoing Phase II initiative has reached an estimated 2,160 children through 24 boys’ and 24 girls’ primary schools. Age-appropriate awareness sessions on child rights, GBV, SEA/SH, and Menstrual Health and Hygiene have been conducted in Urdu and Pashto across the four districts, while Hindko has also been used in Haripur to respect and promote the local linguistic identity.

To ensure technically sound and survivor-centered messaging, KPHCIP has conducted eight cumulative days of capacity-building activities. These included a four-day GBV training focused on survivor-centered response and referral pathways, a three-day Master Trainer Workshop to standardize Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and assembly scripts, and a one-day workshop for District Education Officers on Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) safeguards and escalation protocols.

As part of the initiative, every visited school now prominently displays information regarding the Child Protection Cell, the designated GBV focal person, and grievance redressal pathways. These measures are aimed at strengthening confidence in formal referral mechanisms and encouraging safe reporting practices among children at an early age, helping to foster a culture of safety, respect and accountability.

Officials said the model has shown promising results and is now being prepared for expansion to the remaining schools targeted under Phase II of the project.

The initiative underscores KPHCIP’s commitment to creating safer learning environments for children while strengthening awareness, prevention and response mechanisms related to GBV and SEA/SH across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The project team thanked Black Box for its valuable support in creating public awareness and helping amplify the campaign’s outreach efforts across the targeted communities.