SESSION 2 The particular risks and needs of adolescent refugees

Women and girls experience conflict, flight and resettlement differently from men and boys. Systematic rape and sexual abuse is now recognized as a major component of conflict. Gender Differences

Rape Rape Sexual violence Sexual violence Exploitation Exploitation Common experiences for refugee girls are:

“When I became pregnant at 17, there was a lot of pressure to get rid of the baby because I was not married. None of the villagers here would talk to me then. I felt bad, I was really down and depressed when they ejected me like that. I felt like I was no longer a human being. I was so ashamed of myself.” Kenyan single mother, BBC World News 2007

Refugee girls often experience a loss of control over their sexual and reproductive lives. Many young girls bear children of rape. Reproductive Health Problems Shekole Refugee Camp, Ethiopia

Losing their fathers and significant other male role models. Being taken as child soldiers. Common experiences for refugee boys are: Refugee Camp On Thai Burma Border

There are currently more than children around the world serving as child soldiers. They experience a complete loss of childhood innocence Child Soldiers Refugee Camp – Thai Burma Border

Separated children are more vulnerable than other refugee children to exploitation and human rights abuse. Separated children – Unaccompanied youth Refugee Camp, Thai Burma Border

Disrupted Education Most refugees have not had the opportunity to attend school regularly They are not used to our Australian education system

Getting an Education in Sierra Leone Getting an Education in Sierra Leone Literacy levels are extremely low. Adult literacy is 29.6% and amongst the youth it is 38.2%. It is hoped that by 2015, there will be universal primary education and gender equality as part of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals. The aid agency, Concern, currently supports 10,000 students in 66 schools, providing textbooks and equipment. Although not compulsory, many parents cannot afford school uniforms and are ashamed to send their children without. This is slowly changing. BBC World News 2007