On 14^th July 2022, the Deputy Principal (ARC) Dr. Christina Raphael, launched a training on 03 plus and gender desk. Dr. Raphael appreciated the role of UNESCO in enabling DUCE to be part of 03 plus project whose common slogan is ‘Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future’.

Speaking during the event, the 03 plus Assistant Project Officer, Ms. Catherine Amri said that the objective of O3 plus is to support the institutionalization of life skills and strengthening the capacity of campus health facilities. Another objective is to support knowledge sharing and enforcement of policies that protect students from sexual and gender-based violence.

…young people in higher institutions in the East and Southern Africa have to realize positive health education and gender equality out comes through sustained reductions in new HIV infections, unintended pregnancy and gender based violence… Ms. Catherine emphasized.

Responding to various issues raised during the event, the Senior Community Officer, Mr. Staricko Meshack said that establishing of the gender desk at DUCE is a Government directive through the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Special Group that requires all public institutions to establish gender desks. The purpose of gender desk is to assist in administering issues related to gender-based violence.

The Coordinator of College Diversity Unit, Dr. Ikupa Moses Mwandambo reported that the gender desk was launched few weeks ago, and 03 plus seeks to support and propagate its establishment to reach the entire community.

The project, therefore, aims at institutionalizing health and well-being of individuals. It also enables students and other individuals to reach their educational potential and contribute more effectively to the development of the country.