Abstract:
All children deserve a school surrounding that is safe and nurturing-one that will permit them to
grow, succeed and take full advantage of their full potential. However, many students in the
developing world face a different daily reality of exposure to gender-based violence (GBV) through
both explicit and implicit forms which considerably affect girls’ social interest and academic
pursuits. This study therefore sought to explore the nature and extent of In-school Gender-Based
Violence (IGBV). The study employed a mixed method approach and concurrent triangulation
design was adopted, targeting 2500 primary going girls of between class 7 and 8 in the Municipality
Public Primary Schools. Purposive sampling was used to select the girls in class 7 and 8. Focused
group discussion guide and questionnaires were used to collect complementary data for this study.
Qualitative Data was analyzed by use of thematic and matrix analysis and quantitative data was
analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study findings revealed different manifestations of sexual,
psychological and physical violence which targeted the adolescent girls. The study has helped to
expose subtle types of IGBV and this would be useful to school leaders, educational policy makers
and implementers. From the findings of the study, an all-inclusive school approach including the
management, teachers, pupils and the curriculum is necessary to ensure effective sensitization of the
presence of the different forms of IGBV.