Toolkit CHILDPRO: Tools for a school culture that prevents violence from early childhood

Creating safe school environments, where all girls and boys can grow and learn free from violence, including sex- or gender-based violence, is one of the major challenges that educational institutions face today. This toolkit was developed to support early childhood and primary school teachers, as well as other educational stakeholders, in that task.

Through practical resources and evidence-informed educational strategies, this set of guidelines and tools provides keys to identifying violent behaviors, guiding the actions of teachers and the educational community, and fostering egalitarian relationships and safe environments from the earliest educational stages. Its ultimate goal is to help build schools where well-being, respect, and positive coexistence form the foundation of learning.

The CHILDPRO Project: It’s never too early to prevent Gender-Based Violence

CHILDPRO is a research project that emerged in response to the urgent need to prevent gender-based violence from early childhood. Although progress has been made toward a more egalitarian society, significant inequalities and troubling forms of violence that particularly affect girls and women persist. In this context, the project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 5: Gender Equality), promoting educational practices that contribute to their achievement.

Across five phases, CHILDPRO has reviewed successful programs, analyzed the perceptions of teachers and families, and examined real educational experiences that have proven effective in preventing or overcoming gender-based violence in schools. This rigorous body of knowledge has been transformed into a practical and accessible resource for teachers: the present toolkit.

What does the CHILDPRO Toolkit offer and how can it be used?

This toolkit is designed to help early childhood and primary school teachers implement educational strategies that foster safe, egalitarian, and violence-free environments. Its content translates the findings of the CHILDPRO project into practical applications for school contexts, with special attention to successful experiences documented in educational settings.

The toolkit is organized into two main sections:
Section 1.1: Key Concepts for Identifying Gender-Based Violence from Early Childhood. Summarizes key ideas drawn from scientific literature and fieldwork that help recognize risk indicators.
Section 1.2: Guidelines for Action. Provides general recommendations for the educational community that have been proven effective.
Section 2: Evidence-Informed Educational Strategies. Presents teaching tools that have shown positive impacts in schools, detailing their implementation processes.

This toolkit aims to serve as a practical guide for educators committed to transforming their classrooms into spaces of coexistence, equity, and protection for all students.

We hope it proves helpful!