A Journey to a Safe School: A vivid illustration of the reality of attacks against education

Djibril is a young boy who has fled his village after an armed group occupied his school that led to its closure and the interruption of children’s education. Seeking safety, Djibril finds refuge in a community that has implemented measures, with the support from the State, to protect education, schools and children, following the guidelines of the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment to protect education from the worst effects of armed conflict.

“The story of Djibril is not a unique one, it is the reality that many children and communities face in areas affected by armed conflict,” said Geneva Call Child Protection and Education in Emergencies Adviser Marie Lefevre Saadoun. “In The Adventures of Djibril – A Journey to a Safe School, the reader is immersed in the reality of attacks against education, like the ones our colleagues face and hear about each day. Djibril’s story will resonate strongly with the communities Geneva Call works with in areas under the influence of armed groups and de facto authorities.”

According to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack’s latest report, in 2022-2023, attacks on education increased by 20%. The upward trend is extremely distressing in the Sahel region, where direct attacks against students and personnel, and the use of schools for military purposes, has led to the closure of 9000 schools. Millions of children are affected and out of school, they face risks of being recruited by armed groups and de facto authorities or being victims of sexual violence.

On the occasion of the fifth International Day to Protect Education from Attack, Geneva Call is publishing a comic book on the protection of education: A Journey to a Safe School, created in collaboration with Art to Face Consulting. This initiative will support Geneva Call’s mission to contribute to the protection of civilians, with a particular focus on the protection of education. The book vividly illustrates the dangers children face when schools are attacked and emphasizes the measures that communities and schools can take to protect children and education.