Africa: Developing Girls' Belief in Themselves

13 November 2012
Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative

Randburg — The year is about to come to an abrupt end, and with it, a flurry of social justice and human rights activity. Kicking off with Universal Children’s Day on 20 November, then moving into 16 Days of Activism, running from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Women and Children Abuse to 10 December (International Human Rights Day), and in between, December 1, World AIDS Day.

During these important commemorations, girl children feature prominently. Unfortunately, they’re often left out of the spotlight for the rest of the year. Across Africa, girl children face many challenges - early marriage, forced labour, teenage pregnancy, illiteracy, and gender inequality - which all lead to less education and less opportunities in childhood and as they grow into young adults. Many inequalities also render girls more vulnerable to poverty, abuse, exploitation, and health problems, especially HIV and AIDS.

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