Together for GirlsWe can end Sexual Violence

Michele Moloney-KittsManaging Director, Together for Girls

Together for girlsWe can end sexual violence

Sexual violence – Global Data

• An estimated 150 million girls and 73 million boys experienced sexual violence in 2002.

• On average, up to 30 percent of women report their first sexual experience was forced. For girls under 15 at the time of their sexual initiation, up to 45 percent report that the experience was forced.

• UNICEF’s estimates, over 64 million women aged 20-24 years, or about 1 out of 3, were married or in union before the age of 18.

• Sexual violence directly affects the future of girls:▫ three times more likely to have an unwanted pregnancy and

girls under 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth. ▫ higher risk of STD and HIV - in Swaziland more than three

times the risk ▫ higher school drop-out rates affecting large issues of

economic growth

Violence Against Children

Social, emotional, & cognitive impairment

Adoption ofhealth-risk behaviors

Disease, disability, and social problems

Earlydeath

The influence of violence against children throughout life

Birth

Death

Sexual Violence Prior to Age 18 Reported by Females 13–24 Years of Age, Swaziland - 2007 and Tanzania - 2009

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[Given that this is a non-technical, non-expert audience, I wonder whether a slide of this type may make people uncomfortable. I don’t suggest omitting it, but keep in mind the difference between this audience and the S. Africa audience.]

Challenges in the Response

Age (years)

Post-Rape Care Utilization

Post

-Rap

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Uti

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R

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Risk Factors for Girls

•Lower social status ▫Increases vulnerability to violence and sexual

abuse▫Reduces protective networks leading to social

isolation•Socio-cultural norms and practices

▫ Silences open discussion about sexual violence and stigmatizes victims

•Physical and sexual violence is increased with alcohol abuse

Together for Girls A Unique Partnership

Together for Girls Three pillars of a comprehensive response

• Conduct national surveys and collect data▫ Led locally by governments and

civil society

• Support coordinated program actions at the country level▫ Builds on existing platforms▫ Policy and legal reform▫ Prevention ▫ Services for survivors

• Lead global advocacy and public awareness

©UNICEF/NYHQ2005-0944/Haviv

Government-led response – Swaziland and Tanzania

• Swaziland▫Established a child friendly corner with trained

staff in all police stations in the country ▫Trained the Ministry of Justice staff▫Trained Staff of 10 major hospitals/facilities in the

country on the case management of sexual violence

▫Instituted legal reforms

• Tanzania ▫National multi-sectoral plan – led by the Ministry of

Social Affairs, includes government and civil society

• Kenya, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Philippines, Vietnam – incorporating planning for national strategies from the outset

What can the private sector do?

• Contribute to Together for Girls and support our work on the ground

• Talk about violence, sexual violence, and the consequences to help destigmatize the issue

• Workplace programs - prevention and care; ▫ Early childhood development and parenting

support ▫ Engaging men and boys in the response;

address alcohol as an issue▫ Where women are the workforce be conscious

of risks to and from work; support comprehensive post-rape care services

• Support local organizations working to address the issue

www.togetherforgirls.org

TOGETHERWe can end sexual violence and

build a future where girls are safe, healthy and valued