“I am trying very hard to forget how it happened, but I am failing. I can’t just forget it; it’s like it’s just about to happen again, like it’s just happening. I remember every detail.” A 15 year old girl in Zambia who was raped by her teacher expresses her emotions.
Every year, between 500 million and 1.5 billion children experience some sort of violence, often within school. This week Plan launches a global report on the scale of violence against girls around the world on International Women’s Day on Friday 8th March.
Tanya Barron, Chief Executive of Plan UK says, “Our international report shows that sexual violence in particular disproportionately affects girls around the globe – especially in and around school. This kind of abuse has a profound effect on children’s education – as well as their physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing.”
'A girl’s right to learn without fear: Working to end gender-based violence at school', part of Plan's Because I am a Girl campaign, exposes that worldwide an estimated 150 million girls and 73 million boys have experienced sexual violence.
Plan UK is calling on the UK Government to champion global action on ending gender-based violence in and around schools.
We are recommending that the UK's Department for International Development replicate successful projects and invests in research to increase the impact of their work.
The official launch of the report is taking place at Hornsey School for Girls in London, on 8th March and will be attended by International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone. Plan will also be showcasing a new teaching pack on violence against girls in and around school.
What you can do
Plan’s Because I am a Girl campaign aims to support four million girls to stay in education and fulfil their potential. By joining the Plan you can help girls transform their lives and the world around them. Sign our petition.
Resources and publications
For more information see the Executive Summary or the full report.
Find out about Plan's recommendations to the UK government.
Teachers can also make use of our lesson resource about school-related gender-based violence.