The Effects of Violence on Young Girls
March 9, 2009
Plan International adds its voice to the Commission on the Status of Women
New York, N.Y. — Recently, representatives of Plan International presented its 2008 report, ‘Because I am a Girl — In the Shadow of War’ at the 53rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held at the United Nations. This is the second in a series of eight reports produced by Plan examining the rights of girls throughout their childhood, adolescence and as young women. The 2008 ‘Because I am a Girl’ (BIAAG) report examines the state of girls in conflict situations around the world.
More than 1,500 Kenyans were slaughtered last year when the country erupted into violence following disputed elections. Alongside the death toll was a huge increase in the number of sexual attacks on defenseless young women.
Speaking on behalf of The World Wide Organization of Girl Guides at an event organized by Plan International for the CSW, Sheilla, a 17 year old Kenyan girl, spoke of the impact the post-electoral violence had on young women in Kenya.
Young women like her were at the mercy of brutal gangs who rampaged through communities raping and attacking girls. “Gang rapes were planned and ethnically motivated. There were also crimes of opportunity carried out by men taking advantage of the lack of proper security,” says Sheilla.
At the time of the violence, Sheilla was working in the IDP (internally displaced people) camps for the Girl Guides as a youth health education volunteer.
Sheilla says even the girls who escaped the violence themselves still faced a hard time in the camps. “Women in need of sanitary towels used old newspapers as sanitary pads were not available,” she says.
In the aftermath of the unrest, Sheilla says it is difficult for young women to bring their attackers to justice as most live in rural areas many miles from the nearest police station.
Associate Professor Myriam Denov, of McGill University in Canada, is an expert on young women in conflict. She says much more needs to be done to help these girls.
“There is a need to tap into girls’ agency and resilience in the aftermath of conflict,” she says.
“Reform and reconstruction processes must include the voices and participation of women and girls, and community-based mechanisms for the reintegration of former girl soldiers, girl mothers and survivors of sexual violence must be supported.”
Despite the horrific attacks many of these girls have suffered Professor Denov remains upbeat about their future.
She adds: “Girls have an amazing capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and to find ways of coming together to help each other through difficult times.”
Sharon Goulds, head of communications at Plan UK, says Sheilla’s testimony is far from unusual.
“Sheilla’s story demonstrates the challenges faced by hundreds of thousands of girls and young women whose lives are adversely affected by conflict and its aftermath,” she says.
“Plan is publishing a series of reports that document the specific issues faced by girls and young women who are affected by the double whammy of their age and their gender.”
Other speakers at the session were Dr.Abiola Tylley-Gyado, Pan African Relationships Advisor, Plan International, and Sarah Hendriks, Advisor Gender Equality and HIV and AIDS, Plan Canada. The meeting was moderated by Sharon Goulds (UKNO).
"In the Shadow of War" is the second in a series of reports on the state of the world’s girls published by Plan. The series began in 2007 and will run until 2015.
* * * * * * * * * *
Media contact
Robin Costello
Director of Communications
(401) 738-5600, ext. 1318
Robin.Costello@planusa.org
Back to top
More than 1,500 Kenyans were slaughtered last year when the country erupted into violence following disputed elections. Alongside the death toll was a huge increase in the number of sexual attacks on defenseless young women.
Speaking on behalf of The World Wide Organization of Girl Guides at an event organized by Plan International for the CSW, Sheilla, a 17 year old Kenyan girl, spoke of the impact the post-electoral violence had on young women in Kenya.
Young women like her were at the mercy of brutal gangs who rampaged through communities raping and attacking girls. “Gang rapes were planned and ethnically motivated. There were also crimes of opportunity carried out by men taking advantage of the lack of proper security,” says Sheilla.
At the time of the violence, Sheilla was working in the IDP (internally displaced people) camps for the Girl Guides as a youth health education volunteer.
Sheilla says even the girls who escaped the violence themselves still faced a hard time in the camps. “Women in need of sanitary towels used old newspapers as sanitary pads were not available,” she says.
In the aftermath of the unrest, Sheilla says it is difficult for young women to bring their attackers to justice as most live in rural areas many miles from the nearest police station.
Associate Professor Myriam Denov, of McGill University in Canada, is an expert on young women in conflict. She says much more needs to be done to help these girls.
“There is a need to tap into girls’ agency and resilience in the aftermath of conflict,” she says.
“Reform and reconstruction processes must include the voices and participation of women and girls, and community-based mechanisms for the reintegration of former girl soldiers, girl mothers and survivors of sexual violence must be supported.”
Despite the horrific attacks many of these girls have suffered Professor Denov remains upbeat about their future.
She adds: “Girls have an amazing capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and to find ways of coming together to help each other through difficult times.”
Sharon Goulds, head of communications at Plan UK, says Sheilla’s testimony is far from unusual.
“Sheilla’s story demonstrates the challenges faced by hundreds of thousands of girls and young women whose lives are adversely affected by conflict and its aftermath,” she says.
“Plan is publishing a series of reports that document the specific issues faced by girls and young women who are affected by the double whammy of their age and their gender.”
Other speakers at the session were Dr.Abiola Tylley-Gyado, Pan African Relationships Advisor, Plan International, and Sarah Hendriks, Advisor Gender Equality and HIV and AIDS, Plan Canada. The meeting was moderated by Sharon Goulds (UKNO).
"In the Shadow of War" is the second in a series of reports on the state of the world’s girls published by Plan. The series began in 2007 and will run until 2015.
* * * * * * * * * *
Media contact
Robin Costello
Director of Communications
(401) 738-5600, ext. 1318
Robin.Costello@planusa.org
Back to top
