Empowering Children: Gender and Children’s Rights

Welcome back to MHREC’s Empowering Children: Building a Rights-Respecting Community Campaign, an awareness series on children’s rights! This week, we’re focusing on the intersection of gender and children’s rights, particularly emphasising the challenges girls face.

Gender Inequality and Children’s Rights

Gender inequality can significantly impact children’s rights. Girls, in particular, often face unique challenges that can hinder their development and well-being. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring all children thoroughly enjoy their rights.

Key Issues Facing Girls

  1. Education: In many parts of the world, girls are less likely to attend school due to cultural norms, economic barriers, and safety concerns. Ensuring access to education for girls is critical for their empowerment and future opportunities.
  2. Health: Girls may face health risks related to inadequate nutrition, lack of access to healthcare, and harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM).
  3. Safety: Girls are often at higher risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse, both in and outside of their homes. Ensuring their safety is a fundamental aspect of their rights.

Case Study: Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai’s story is a powerful example of the fight for girls’ education. After surviving an attack by the Taliban for advocating for her right to education, Malala has become a global symbol of resilience and the importance of education for girls.

Empowering Girls

To bridge the gap and ensure gender equality in children’s rights, we need to:

  • Promote Education: Support initiatives that provide scholarships, build schools and offer safe learning environments for girls.
  • Improve Healthcare: Ensure girls access healthcare services, including reproductive health education and services.
  • Enforce Protection Laws: Strengthen laws and policies to protect girls from violence and exploitation and ensure their enforcement.

Conclusion

Addressing gender inequality is essential for upholding children’s rights. We can create a more just and equitable world for all children by empowering girls and ensuring they have equal opportunities.

Join us next week as we explore the topic of voting rights for children and the concept of “childism.” Until then, let’s continue to advocate for the rights and empowerment of all children, regardless of gender.

Il-Homework tal-Ġimgħa: Quiz

Take our quiz to see how much you know about the challenges girls face worldwide. Test your knowledge and learn more about gender and children’s rights.

Go back

Your message has been sent

Which country has the highest percentage of girls not attending school?(required)

What is one significant health risk that disproportionately affects girls in many parts of the world?(required)

What percentage of girls worldwide experience violence before the age of 15?

Which of these is a significant barrier to girls’ education?

Which global movement focuses on the rights of girls and women?

This activity is part of the project “Strengthening Children’s Rights Advocacy through International Training”. Partly funded by the Government of Malta Social Causes Fund.