Asha the Elephant
The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami which struck Sri Lanka not only created massive physical destruction but also it increased stress on communities and families, resulted in separated children, and sadly as in many emergencies, it created opportunities for people to take advantage of girls and boys. As such, one consequence of the tsunami was heightened risk of physical, sexual and psychological violence against children.
Drawing upon its experience with national the Respect Education program, starting in 2005 the Canadian Red Cross worked with the Sri Lanka Red Cross, local agencies, academics, the Ministry of Education and other ministries, and schools to develop a program called Be Safe!. The program was designed for girls and boys aged five to nine, their teachers, and parents. The program provided schools and parents opportunities to define local and culturally appropriate ways to prevent and respond to violence, and helped children understand their rights, tips to be safe from violence, and where and how to access help if they ever need it. Among the adaptions to make the program culturally relevant was the creation of a new mascot, Asha the Elephant.
“Children deserve to be safe and it is our responsibility to make sure we do everything possible to prevent abuse,” said Gurvinder Singh, who worked with the Canadian Red Cross as the child protection delegate in Sri Lanka. “It seemed natural for the Canadian Red Cross to build on its expertise in child protection to partner with other Red Cross Societies who also share an interest in ensuring the safety and health of girls and boys in emergencies.”
“The belief that violence, including gender-based violence, is inevitable is a myth.”
By 2014 the program had been implemented in all of the country’s 25 administrative districts, reaching 23 per cent of schools. As associated program, Ten Steps, showed educators and parents how to create the infrastructure to protect children from violence. An independent evaluation of the program showed it was successful in creating more positive knowledge, attitudes and behaviour for keeping children safe from violence among parents, teachers and students.
The experience in Sri Lanka during the tsunami response has influenced many other Canadian Red Cross global partnerships. In fact, the Canadian Red Cross has now worked with more than 25 other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world, and many of the tools developed in Canada have been adapted globally by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in emergencies and in development projects.
“Everyone has a role to play,” Gurvinder said. “The belief that violence, including gender-based violence, is inevitable is a myth. When we work together, violence against girls and boys can be prevented. This is essential for the health of mothers and children day-to-day and in emergencies.”
The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami which struck Sri Lanka not only created massive physical destruction but also it increased stress on communities and families, resulted in separated children, and sadly as in many emergencies, it created opportunities for people to take advantage of girls and boys. As such, one consequence of the tsunami was heightened risk of physical, sexual and psychological violence against children.
Drawing upon its experience with national the Respect Education program, starting in 2005 the Canadian Red Cross worked with the Sri Lanka Red Cross, local agencies, academics, the Ministry of Education and other ministries, and schools to develop a program called Be Safe!. The program was designed for girls and boys aged five to nine, their teachers, and parents. The program provided schools and parents opportunities to define local and culturally appropriate ways to prevent and respond to violence, and helped children understand their rights, tips to be safe from violence, and where and how to access help if they ever need it. Among the adaptions to make the program culturally relevant was the creation of a new mascot, Asha the Elephant.
“Children deserve to be safe and it is our responsibility to make sure we do everything possible to prevent abuse,” said Gurvinder Singh, who worked with the Canadian Red Cross as the child protection delegate in Sri Lanka. “It seemed natural for the Canadian Red Cross to build on its expertise in child protection to partner with other Red Cross Societies who also share an interest in ensuring the safety and health of girls and boys in emergencies.”
“The belief that violence, including gender-based violence, is inevitable is a myth.”
By 2014 the program had been implemented in all of the country’s 25 administrative districts, reaching 23 per cent of schools. As associated program, Ten Steps, showed educators and parents how to create the infrastructure to protect children from violence. An independent evaluation of the program showed it was successful in creating more positive knowledge, attitudes and behaviour for keeping children safe from violence among parents, teachers and students.
The experience in Sri Lanka during the tsunami response has influenced many other Canadian Red Cross global partnerships. In fact, the Canadian Red Cross has now worked with more than 25 other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world, and many of the tools developed in Canada have been adapted globally by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in emergencies and in development projects.
“Everyone has a role to play,” Gurvinder said. “The belief that violence, including gender-based violence, is inevitable is a myth. When we work together, violence against girls and boys can be prevented. This is essential for the health of mothers and children day-to-day and in emergencies.”
