Giving Compass' Take:

• UNICEF  and Global Citizen are partnering to campaign against school violence, whether that be in schools located in areas of extreme poverty that face conflict in education or schools that do not entirely prohibit corporal punishment. 

• UNICEF is creating a manifesto of stories about violence in schools to create more awareness and bring more voices to the problem. What are the next steps after awareness to address this issue? 

• Read about the ten toughest places in the world for girls to go to school. 

For millions of young, passionate, and driven students all over the world, education represents a chance for a better life — one that is fulfilling, prosperous, and not limited due of a lack of education. However, for many of those students, going to school can be a scary endeavor that involves having to deal with violence.

Half of the world’s teens experience peer violence in and around schools. Furthermore, 720 million school-aged children live in countries where corporal punishment at school is not fully prohibited.

This situation is worse for those living in extreme poverty or in crisis situations. There have been more than 500 verified attacks on schools in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen — in 2017 alone.

It is imperative to ensuring that they have the skills to better their lives in their communities and break the cycle of poverty, violence, and daily struggle that can often feel like a trap with no escape.

When education starts to become synonymous with violence, the long-term consequences to children’s lives can be immeasurable. It jeopardizes children’s health and forces them out of school, risking their livelihoods, the future of their communities, and the potential for them to live the lives they deserve.

Together we can change the situation. Are you between the ages of 13 and 24 years old? If so, complete UNICEF’s simple poll questions via the Global Citizen site, earn points, and share your voice to join thousands of young people around the world who are speaking out about what’s happening in their schools and what they need to be safe. More than 1 million young people have already submitted responses.

Read the full article about school violence at Global Citizen