And the rape and abuse of girls is not only a by-product, but often a deliberate act of armed conflict. And according to the UN Division for the Advancement of Women, of the 87 governments submitting National Action Plans to follow-up Beijing, only 27 referred to specific programmes for girls. Focusing on girls There are no quick fixes in improving the well-being and status of girls. Sustainable solutions require a shift in perspective from the issues, or the circumstances thrust on girls by discrimination, to girls themselves. Girls must become visible as human beings with inherent rights and the opportunity to participate actively in decisions affecting their lives.
Girls are the hub, the centre around which their situations revolve.
The survey report, Clearing a Path for Girls, says that across the regions, education and violence are the two most critical issues facing girls. NGOs agreed that good progress has been made in primary school enrollment for girls. They also agreed that girls drop out of school at a far higher rate than boys, a rate that even seems to be increasing. In regard to violence, the survey reflects a strong global view that, despite increasing public awareness, sexual and physical abuse both inside and outside the family remains among the most serious obstacles to girls' development and among the most widespread violations of their rights.