Violence against the Girl Child and the Preventive Role of the SDGs

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines a child as: a “human being below the age of 18 years, unless under the law applicable to that child, majority is attained earlier.” Violence against the girl child, also known as gender-based violence refers to violent acts that are primarily or exclusively committed against children. A steady improvement has been observed in the girl child’s life but many girls are still subjected to horrific practices like female genital mutilation, sexual exploitation and abuse, and child marriage. Son preference often results in female infanticide. For centuries, adolescent girls (and even younger girls) have been forced into marriage, usually with men many years their senior. 

Child marriage puts girls at risk of sexual, physical and psychological violence throughout their lives. Globally, girls who marry before 15 are 50% more likely to face physical or sexual violence from a partner. Sadly, child brides are more likely to believe that a man is justified in beating his wife. Research shows that 44% of girls aged 15 to 19 share that belief. Thousands of girl children around the world die in ‘honor’ killings. ‘Honor’ killings are defined by the Human Rights Watch as “acts of violence, usually murder, committed by male family members against female family members who are perceived to have brought dishonor upon the family.” Motives for such killings include: premarital sex, suspicion of adultery, refusal to comply with an arranged marriage, seeking divorce, and being a victim of rape or sexual assault.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for all, also address violence against the girl child. They constitute a potentially powerful violence prevention agenda. There are 17 SDGs, and goals 5 and 16 directly address violence against the girl child. SDG 5 aims at achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Target 2 of SDG 5 is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. 

Target 3 of SDG 5 is to eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation. SDG 16 seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Target 1 of SDG 16 is to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. Target 2 of SDG 16 is to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against children.