{header1} Girls are born with the inherent and inalienable rights of all human beings. They are also born with the unique rights of childhood which will enable them to reach their full potential as individuals and members of society. In too many parts of the world, girls experience "apartheid of gender". Beginning from birth their fundamental rights are denied and violated. The low value placed on girls subjects them to exclusion, exploitation and violence. Lack of access to education and adequate health care, sexual abuse, female genital cutting, and too early child bearing are some obstacles that impede their full development and deprive millions of girls of the opportunity to play a productive and equal role in their societies. Today, the scourge of HIV/AIDS disproportionately effects girls in many parts of the world with increasingly destructive effects on their societies. In situations of armed conflict girls are frequent and deliberate targets of systematic rape, abduction and murder. Even in some refugee camps where they have sought protection, they are too often exploited. Girls are the women of tomorrow. Too often the deprivations and inequalities suffered by them are accepted as their preparation for womanhood. The continuity of traditional inequities will make it impossible for girls and women to contribute to the fundamental changes needed for creating more equitable societies and sustainable development. LINKS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS: Amnesty International Women's Human Rights Other links coming soon. FACT SHEETS ABOUT THE SITUATION OF GIRLS   (All fact sheets are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to open them.  Get Adobe Acrobat Reader FREE here.    Title Format WGG Platform for Girls and WGG Fact Sheets  MS Word .PDF    - Participation  MS Word  .PDF    - Education  MS Word  .PDF    - Health  MS Word  .PDF    - Labor  MS Word  .PDF    - Poverty  MS Word  .PDF   - Trafficking  MS Word  .PDF    - Violence MS Word .PDF Child Soldier Platform MS Word .PDF