Gang membership threatens the girls and the agency staff who are seeking to provide help. Working with young women who are torn between fear of and loyalty to gangs and a desire to leave presents special challenges to staff and the community. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Girls are closing the gender gap with their male counterparts in the use of substances. Adolescent girls and health.
Girls have unique health issues that warrant special attention and access to services.
Girls often do not report medical concerns because of fear, lack of trust, and embarrassment. Despite these trends and the alarming patterns of self-destructive behaviors that girls are exhibiting, little attention has been focused on the unique needs of girls, the obstacles they face, or the services they require. Programs designed to benefit women and girls are significantly underfunded. Experienced service providers report that girls wait longer for services than boys, and local communities often lack gender-specific programming for girls in need.