Achieving gender equality is one of the greatest challenges Latin America faces in protecting the rights of children, the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported in its “2007 World State of Children” report released last week.
“Eliminating discrimination between genders, providing autonomy to women and encouraging their participation in decision-making in Latin America and the Caribbean will have positive and profound consequences on the survival and wellbeing of children,” said the report.
“The cycle of discrimination begins during childhood, which is why it is important that girls and boys receive free education and develop the same ability to demand their rights and participate in decision-making,” it said.