The girl child is the most vulnerable segment of society and the most affected by gender-based violence, including harmful traditional practices such as early marriage, FGM and sexual violation. Many African countries have forbidden all forms of violence against girls; however, school-based violence remains a major concern.

The rights of the girl child are increasingly taken into consideration by national institutions, research centres and observatories. Most countries have ratified and domesticated the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and some of them now guarantee equal sharing of inheritance between girls and boys.

School curricula, teaching materials and text books that improve the self image, lives and work opportunities for girls have been encouraged by many countries in an effort to promote and secure the rights of the girl. An increased number of African countries are implementing programmes to ensure equal provision of services to disabled girls.

Despite progress achieved, serious challenges such as discriminatory religious and cultural practices that negatively affect the girl child continue to persist on the continent. The challenge here is to involve community/ religious leaders in the effective implementation of laws and legislations enacted for the advancement of the girl child and the protection of her rights.