The Girl-child

In many countries, the girl-child faces discrimination from the earliest stages of life, through childhood and into adulthood. Due to harmful attitudes and practices, such as female genital mutilation, son preference, early marriage, sexual exploitation and practices related to health and food allocation, fewer girls than boys survive into adulthood in some areas of the world. Due to lack of protective laws, or failure to enforce such laws, girls are more vulnerable to all kinds of violence, particularly sexual violence. In many regions, girls face discrimination in access to education and specialized training.

More than 15 million girls aged 15 to 19 each year give birth and face pregnancy-related complications. Girls are also more vulnerable than boys to the consequences of unprotected and premature sexual relations, including HIV/AIDS.

The Platform recommends action to:
• Eliminate all forms of discrimination against the girl-child;
• Enact and enforce appropriate legislation that guarantees equal right to succession and ensures equal right to inherit, regardless of the sex of the child;
• Eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices against girls;
• Eliminate discrimination against girls in education, skills development and training;
• Eliminate discrimination against girls in health and nutrition;
• Eliminate the economic exploitation of child labour and protect young girls at work;
• Strengthen the role of the family in improving the status of the girl-child.

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