News
Champions of Change- Breaking Barriers for a Better Tomorrow
UNESCO New Delhi launched its video documentary titled 'Champions of Change' on 13 October 2022, focusing on the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ learners. The launch of the videos took place in Chennai in the presence of Thiru Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Minister of School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Bullying and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) in schools adversely affects LGBTQIA+ and gender non-conforming students' physical and psychological health. It leads to several negative consequences, which include psychological consequences such as depression and anxiety, academic consequences in terms of lowered educational performance and dropping out of school, and social consequences in terms of loneliness and lack of support. Therefore, the policymakers, educational department officials and public health officials should provide adequate attention to address SOGIE-related violence and bullying in schools.
In this context, UNESCO New Delhi recorded videos capturing experiences of transgender people who overcame challenges related to stigma, discrimination, violence, and bullying in educational institutions and became achievers in their professional lives. The video documentation builds understanding on the scale and impact of homophobic bullying in educational institutions. It also provides recommendations on how to prevent and address school-based bullying faced by LGBTQIA+ learners.
The primary audience for the videos includes policymakers, stakeholders responsible for child protection and human rights, teachers, principals, learners from the transgender community as well as national human rights institutions.
UNESCO recognises that no country can achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 - to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all - if students are discriminated against or experience violence because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Education is a fundamental human right and educational institutions need to be safe, secure, and vibrant for all students.
For more information, contact:
Joyce Poan j.poan@unesco.org
Sarita Jadav s.jadav@unesco.org
