DIANE McIntosh, programme officer at the United Nations Development Programme, is calling for the strengthening of policies and programmes to eradicate violence against young girls.

McIntosh, who was speaking during a fund-raising dinner put on by the Elsie Bemand Home Trust, said efforts to effect change and protect these girls at risk not only have to be strengthened, but adequately financed and supported by the political will.

Citing data from the Economic and Social Survey for 2002-2004 which showed girls zero to 15 years of age being the main victims of rape and carnal abuse, McIntosh noted that while the enactment of the Child Care and Protection Act has made strides to prevent violence against young girls, the scourge cannot be eliminated until justice is more accessible to victims and the process of seeking justice is made safer.

“For states to realise their obligation to protect the rights of girls, they must do much more than enact legislation to criminalise all forms of violence against girls,” she said.

“They must do more than enforce such legislation … they must directly address the attitudes of prejudices that foster the culture of impunity.”

McIntosh called for steps to be taken to protect the victims and their privacy after they make reports of violence and during court proceedings. Additionally, she said the perpetrators who are found guilty of any form of violence against girls should be appropriately punished, because when the state fails to hold them accountable, it contributes to a culture of impunity in which justice is denied and the root cause of violence against girls grows deeper.

Suggesting various strategies to break the cycle of violence against girls, McIntosh said empowering young girls to take control of their lives and to make informed choices is key.