The challenges of adolescent girls
Adolescence is a period of transformation when children undergo rapid physical, cognitive, emotional, sexual and psychological changes. The brain also develops fast and the potential for learning is enormous.
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Violence against adolescent girls is a very pervasive and disturbing issue that cuts across geography, age, class and ethnicity.
In a recent statistical analysis of violence against children, UNICEF found out that globally, adolescent girls encountered physical, sexual, emotional and psychological aggression in striking proportions. They usually suffer violence from their peers, teachers, family members and strangers; and in their homes, schools and communities.
In recognition of the need to prevent and eliminate the various forms of violence adolescent girls experience and the importance of investing in, and empowering them, the theme of this year’s International Day of the Girl- Child, celebrated on October 11, was, “Empowering Adolescent Girls: Ending the Cycle of Violence”.
When an adolescent girl experiences violence, her choices and opportunities are limited and the effects of that could last throughout her lifetime, and even extend to future generations. The stress of violence and abuse could lead to reduced school performance, lower economic productivity in adulthood and school dropouts.
Statistical evidence
In this regard, the statistical evidence is stark. Although Ghana has achieved parity between boys and girls in primary school, the gap begins to show in secondary school, and at the tertiary level, there are approximately twice as many boys as girls.
There are several reasons for this. However, the many forms of violence perpetuated against girls is one of the reasons for losing them in the critical transition time between childhood and adulthood.
Violence against adolescent girls at school, be it through bullying or unwanted sexual advances, continues to be a serious barrier to fulfilling their right to education, and is one of the key factors for the low quality of school education for girls.
Other forms of violence such as early and child marriages also deprive girls of childhood and often of education, and put them at risk of different forms of inter-personal violence. Girls who are forced into early marriage are less likely to attend school and complete their secondary education, which has negative health and economic consequences for the wider community.
Ending the cycle
To end the cycle of violence against adolescent girls, they must be empowered with the knowledge, skills, resources and options they need to reach their potential. Education is, therefore, at the heart of the solution.
Educating an adolescent girl increases her earning potential and her chances of participating in the labour force, contributing to poverty reduction.
Girls with secondary education are better able to care for themselves and their children. Educating adolescent girls improves maternal and child health and mortality, and saves lives.
Providing adolescent girls with life skills education could help them to develop their critical thinking, build their self-esteem, communicate effectively and solve problems in a cooperative way.
It also gives them the skills required to cope with violence if and when it does occur.
Those who bear the duty of protecting girls and enabling their future potential are being called upon to fulfil every girl’s aspirations — these include governments, parents, communities, leaders, the private sector and the global community.
Men and boys also have an integral role to play in creating a world free from violence.
Other actions
Other actions include changing the attitudes and social norms that encourage violence and discrimination through school and community programmes, mass media and social mobilisation campaigns, supportive services. Laws and policies that make forms of violence a punishable offence must be promoted.
Implementing and enforcing laws and policies that protect adolescent girls from violence, exploitation and abuse is also essential to providing healthy, safe and secure environments in which they could thrive. This must be combined with the development of gender-sensitive codes of conduct for schools, institutions, workplaces, the private sector and sports programmes.
Finally, providing parents and care-givers with child-rearing strategies and techniques, as well as economic support to help mitigate a range of factors that place their girls at risk of violence is a key building block. This area of action seeks to prevent violence from the onset by promoting positive parent-child interactions.
The writers are with the GNA
