GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING AS A TOOL FOR MITIGATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN NIGERIAN SCHOOLS

Abstract

 This paper examined the role of Guidance and Counselling as a strategic tool for mitigating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within educational settings. It highlighted how school Counsellors can function as educators, advocates, and therapeutic supporters-raising awareness on GBV, equipping students with life skills for resilience, and providing psychosocial support to survivors. The study also identifies critical challenges, including insufficient staffing, poor funding, cultural taboos, weak policy enforcement, and limited professional training, which hinder the effectiveness of counselling services. GBV remains a pervasive challenge in Nigerian schools, undermining students’ safety, well-being, and access to quality education. Despite existing policies, weak implementation, cultural stigma, and inadequate support systems continue to sustain the problem. Therefore, strengthening Guidance and Counselling Services is not only essential for reducing GBV but also central to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 4 (SDG 4) on inclusive and equitable quality education in Nigeria. To address these gaps, the paper recommends the recruitment and continuous training of professional Counsellors, adequate funding of Ccounselling units, integration of anti-GBV policies, establishment of confidential reporting mechanisms, and stronger collaboration with stakeholders such as NGOs, law enforcement, and health professionals.