In addition, the growing economic and social impact of globalization, debt burdens and free-market policies, have compounded the problems of poverty and marginalization of girls. It is important to remind ourselves that girls are not yet women. They are children with special rights and needs that must be heeded if girls of today are to become healthy, contributing women leaders of tomorrow. Girls are doubly impacted by age and gender bias and doubly disadvantaged by the negative interplay of discrimination and poverty. Despite laws and a growing world consciousness, violence and exploitation of girls are rampant and often occur with impunity.
Violence can do irreparable harm to girls' developing bodies, minds and emotional capacities.
Among the most damning aspect of violence against girls, is that in far too many places, it is still denied, unacknowledged, or accepted as normal behavior. In situations of armed conflict, including refugee camps, girls are frequently deliberate military targets of systematic rape, abduction and murder. The huge scope of incest and sexual abuse of young girls by family members and trusted adults is only now just beginning to be known. The often slave-like conditions of domestic work and recruitment for prostitution in many garment and carpet factories are considered normal terms of employment for girls. A lack of education leaves girls vulnerable to violence.