Assessment 06
Human Rights Standards on Gender-Based Violence
Excellent progress
Your SRHR programming and policies have strong foundations and commendable practices. Continue to monitor and refine for sustained success!
Good progress
Your SRHR programming and policies are on the right track! Keep building on these positive elements, and address noted areas for further improvement.
Partial progress
Your SRHR programming and policies show potential. Focus on strengthening the weaker areas you’ve identified to enhance overall effectiveness.
Needs improvement
Your SRHR programming and policies need attention. Implement the recommended changes to address gaps and strengthen impact.
Needs significant improvement
Your SRHR programming and policies have critical weaknesses. Prioritize the recommended strategies for a substantial overhaul that will improve effectiveness.
Agir
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Case studies
Need ideas for your programming? Explore successful implementation examples.
EcuadorProtecting Public School Students from Sexual Violence.
Paola Guzmán Albarracín, a 16-year-old high school student in Ecuador, was repeatedly sexually abused by her school’s vice principal. When she became pregnant as a result of the abuse, he pressured her to have an abortion. Following this sexual trauma, Paola committed suicide. Though school authorities became aware that she ingested lethal white phosphorus as a suicide attempt, they did not intervene to save Paola’s life by taking her to a hospital or notifying her family.
The Ecuadorian government did not conduct a proper investigation into the vice principal’s sexual misconduct, thus failing to provide her family with justice.
Paola’s case was brought before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which determined that by failing to protect Paola, the Ecuadorian government violated her rights to life, personal integrity, private life, dignity, special protection from the state as a child, equality and nondiscrimination, education, and a life free from gender violence and discrimination. Ecuador paid monetary reparations to Paola’s family and issued a public apology acknowledging its role in failing to protect Paola and recognizing her as a victim of sexual assault in a school environment.
Paola’s case established clear human rights standards to protect public school students from sexual violence and harassment and served as an example for many other states. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights outlined legally required protocols to safeguard the rights of young people to be free from sexual violence and harassment in Latin American and Caribbean schools. These mechanisms include structural measures to address sexual violence, policies mandating sexual and reproductive education as a component of school curricula, acknowledgment of adolescent girls’ autonomy (including sexual freedom and control of their bodies), and recognition of consent as central to sexual and reproductive rights.
Complete your SRHR Quiz
01. Human Rights Standards on Maternal Health
Ensuring health, well-being and dignity during pregnancy and childbirth.
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02. Human Rights Standards on Contraceptive Information and Services
Ensuring access to safe, voluntary family planning.
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03. Human Rights Standards on Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Enabling young people to protect and advocate for their health, well-being and dignity.
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04. Human Rights Standards on Comprehensive Abortion Care
Ensuring access to legal, safe, confidential and respectful abortion services.
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05. Human Rights Standards on HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections
Preventing transmission and promoting the health and rights of people living with HIV and other STIs.
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06. Human Rights Standards on Gender-Based Violence
Protecting the health, dignity, security and autonomy of women, girls and other vulnerable populations.
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07. Human Rights Standards on Harmful Practices
Working to end harmful practices rooted in gender discrimination.
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