Adolescent girls' rights
Most girls don't grow up in a world of opportunity. They build one.
Discrimination shows up in countless ways across every country and culture. But no matter where you look, one group stands universally more likely to suffer exclusion based simply on how they’re born: Girls.
Barred from learning what they want. Denied the health care they need. Gender discrimination is often enforced through insidious norms that restrict girls from opportunities readily available to boys.
Despite clear evidence that investing in the rights of adolescent girls boosts the wealth and stability of entire nations, girls remain cut off from critical services.
And in many parts of the world, the backlash against their rights is on the rise, eroding decades of progress and exposing girls to unthinkable violations made familiar again.
What needs to happen
Thirty years after 189 Governments endorsed the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the world must follow through on its promise to ensure every girl has the chance to fulfil her potential.
UNICEF is calling on Governments and the international community to:
- Invest more to protect adolescent girls’ rights and scale up programmes to meet their unique needs.
- Ensure adolescent girls have a seat at the table to help shape the policies that affect their lives.
- Challenge harmful gender norms and stereotypes by recognising girls as equal and spotlighting their roles as leaders, innovators and changemakers.
- Support civil society and elevate the voices of allies and defenders of girls’ rights in our communities.
How UNICEF is responding
UNICEF integrates gender equality into all our programming. To help protect the rights of adolescent girls around the world, we’re prioritizing:
- Their health and nutrition; including mental health; sexual and reproductive health; HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment; and menstrual health and hygiene.
- Their education and learning, including through skills building in and out of school, to promote their transition to equitable, satisfying work.
- Their protection from violence, exploitation and abuse, including from harmful practices like FGM and child marriage.
Stories of impact
Get involved
“It’s not that we have a shortage of girl activists – we need to follow their lead, invest in them and defend their rights.”
– Malala Yousafzai
Start here: Activists around the globe are calling on leaders to protect girls' rights. Learn about some of the issues they're tackling.
Policymakers: Research shows that investing in adolescent girls’ education, nutrition and health builds stronger economies that benefit everyone.
Business leaders and partners: Your vision is our mission. UNICEF teams up with the top minds in business to reach every child.
Parents: Caregivers play a critical role in breaking the cycle of discrimination.