Lesson 4 : Millennium Development Goals and Child Protection
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Gender Equality and Child Protection: Child marriage, sexual violence, child labour and trafficking, lack of education and skills, are child rights violations and prevent girls from enjoying gender equality and developing their potential to be self-sufficient and productive citizens. These must be prevented and addressed as part of initiatives to empower girls and women.
Child Marriage: Girls face economic and cultural pressures to drop out of school, and may not have opportunities to participate in community events and other matters that affect their lives.
Sexual Violence: Widespread sexual violence and harassment of girls at schools are major impediments to achieving gender equality in education. When they occur in other settings, such as community and workplace, they undermine efforts to empower girls and women.
Child Labour: Girls are disproportionately engaged in domestic work which often compromises their school participation.
Trafficking: Trafficking in girls and women is a severe impediment to their human rights and empowerment.
Participants