Violence against Girls: The 51st UN Commission on the Status of Women

Summary: Since 2000, Human Rights Watch has documented violence against girls in more than 15 countries in all regions of the world, with a focus on violence in education, child labor, and juvenile justice systems.

On Monday, February 26, the UN Commission on the Status of Women will begin its annual session in New York. The focus of this year’s session is on eliminating discrimination and violence against the girl child.

Since 2000, Human Rights Watch has documented violence against girls in more than 15 countries in all regions of the world, with a focus on violence in education, child labor, and juvenile justice systems.

For the Commission on the Status of Women, Human Rights Watch is publishing the following documents online:

• Violence against Schoolgirls: For many girls, school-related violence is a daily reality. This 10-page background paper documents sexual violence in schools in South Africa and Zambia, the impact of insecurity and attacks on schools in Afghanistan and Iraq, and harassment and violence against lesbian, bisexual and transgender students in the United States.
  Visit: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/15/global15342.htm
• Violence against Child Domestic Workers: More girls are employed in domestic work than any other form of child labor. They are exploited and abused on a routine basis, yet are nearly invisible among child laborers. This 10-page background paper documents physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, forced labor and trafficking of child domestic workers in El Salvador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, and Togo. Visit: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/20/global15343.htm
• Violence against Girls in Conflict with the Law: Although girls make up a small minority of children who come in conflict with the law, they are vulnerable to violence, particularly sexual abuse and rape, by both police and staff in detention facilities. This 5-page background paper documents violence against girls by police and correctional staff in Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Papua New Guinea, and the United States. Visit: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/20/global15345.htm

Each document includes key recommendations for action by governments.

For more information, please contact:
In New York (all issues): Lois Whitman 212-216-1239 or 646-734-2185 (cell); Email: [email protected]
In New York (all issues; after February 25): Jo Becker 212-216-1236; Email: [email protected]
In New York (child domestic workers): Nisha Varia, 917-617-1041; Email: [email protected]
In Cairo (Middle East, juvenile justice, child domestic workers): Clary Bencomo, 201-097-09911 (cell), Email: [email protected]
In Los Angeles (juvenile justice in the United States): Elizabeth Calvin, 310-477-477-5540; 310-926-6504 (cell); Email: [email protected]