GIRLS: PROTECTED AND EMPOWERED 

December 2006 NO.25

Welcome to the 25th issue of What Young People are Saying 
(www.unicef.org/voy/news/), Voices of Youth's bimonthly newsletter.

The upcoming State of the World’s Children Report 2007, which UNICEF will 
launch on 11 December on UNICEF’s 60th anniversary, explores the impact 
that violence and discrimination against women has on children. This issue 
of What Young People Are Saying complements the report by discussing young 
people’s experiences with and perceptions of violence and discrimination 
against girls, and their ideas for making sure every girl’s right to be 
protected and to develop and grow to their greatest potential is 
fulfilled. 

IN THIS ISSUE

Young people speak out about discrimination against girls, girls in 
vulnerable situations, and ideas for protecting and empowering girls. 

Discrimination

“Especially in developing countries, girls have less access to education 
or no education at all. It all goes back to gender relations where the 
role of women is considered unproductive and not appreciated by society.” 
girl, >21, Uganda  

Vulnerable situations 

“Children do not start wars. Yet they are most vulnerable to its deadly 
effects. Millions of innocent children die in conflicts, which is of no 
fault of theirs - just because some greedy leaders rob powers with the 
barrel of the gun." girl, 17, Ghana 

Protection

“Parents must bring up their girls as an asset not a liability. They must 
give her equal rights, opportunities and privileges as the male child." 
girl, 17, India 

Empowerment 

“The girl child has been ill-treated for long but with our generation I 
believe that as you cry out loud and advocate for gender equality you will 
be emancipated. Hold on girl child and fear not, for justice and equality 
is coming our way. As a boy I believe in equality.” boy, 20, Zimbabwe

Click here to access a full version of the newsletter. 

How you can use this newsletter

Every second month, Voices of Youth, UNICEF's interactive website for 
young people, distributes a newsletter to bring attention to the thoughts, 
reflections and suggestions for action on a particular issue for priority 
development as put forth by young people on Voices of Youth 's discussion 
boards.

The objective of What Young People Are Saying is to further links between 
programming and the concerns of today's youth. By providing easy to 
navigate summaries, relevant quotations, and suggested action points, What 
Young People Are Saying offers an additional means of connecting with 
young people globally and interweaving their concerns with UNICEF's 
priorities and objectives.

To help us achieve our objectives, we also ask that you please circulate 
the newsletter among colleagues. For additional information, please 
contact Voices of Youth : Tel: +212-326-7050, e-mail: voy@unicef.org .

Thank you, 
Victor Karunan, Senior Advisor
Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Unit, UNICEF 

About Voices of Youth 
Since 1995, VOY has focused on exploring the educational and community 
building potential of the Internet, and facilitating the active and 
substantive participation of young people on child rights and development 
related issues. Through web boards, interactive quizzes, youth leadership 
profiles, live chats and more, Voices of Youth provides thousands of young 
people from over 180 countries with an opportunity to self-inform, engage 
in lively debate, and partner-with their peers and decision makers-to 
create a world fit for children. http://www.unicef.org/voy/