Adolescence

sentencing wherever possible, including counselling, probationand community service, as well as restorative justicethat involves the child, family, community and victim andpromotes restitution and reconciliation. 22 The ultimate aimmust always be that of reintegration, of encouraging youngpeople towards responsible citizenship.Conflict and emergency settingsA lack of peace and security exacerbates thedifficulties of growing into adulthoodConflict is one situation of violence that has clear andunequivocal risks for all adolescents. Although they arenot as vulnerable as young children to death and diseaseproduced by conflict, this group is at greater risk in otherways. Adolescents may be targeted for recruitment bymilitary groups, whether to carry weapons and participatein atrocities or to act in effect as sexual and other types ofslaves. Although the activities may involve violence, adolescentsmay also become involved because of their growinginterest in actively participating in politics.In emergencies, adolescents, particularly girls, are oftenforced to discontinue their education, owing to disruption,economic considerations or because they have to carefor younger siblings in the absence of parents. They mayADOLESCENT VOICESStriving for equity:A look at marginalized adolescents in Zambiaby Cian McLeod, 17,Ireland“Girls who aredisabled run agreater risk ofphysical andmental abuse.”Although I believe we are closer than ever to living inan equitable world, societies must still work towardschanging social norms that allow discrimination, marginalizationand exclusion. This is most apparent whenwe consider disabled children, girls’ education andchildren living with HIV.In November 2009, I had the opportunity to volunteerfor a couple of weeks in a home for disabled children inMongu, Zambia, and I gained a vivid insight into theirlives. I was shocked by the marginalization of thesechildren, as they are among the most cheerful andplayful I have ever met. As in many other countries,disabled children in Zambia are sometimes sent awayand even disowned. They may be left unattended anduncared for; they may also receive less food.Disabled children are often excluded from schoolbecause the education system makes no allowance forthem. In addition, their parents do not recognize theirright to education or development. They are deniedthe chance to learn the skills they need to work andachieve independence as adults.Gender inequality is evident as well. Girls who are disabledrun a greater risk of physical and mental abuse.Girls are not valued, and neither is their education. Isee the rise in HIV and AIDS as a direct result of thissocial outlook.Education plays a vital role in the prevention of sexualtransmitted infections. In order to halt the spread ofHIV, it is fundamental that all adolescents learn aboutprevention and treatment. Although school enrolmentof girls has increased in developing countries, it is stillnot equal to that of boys. In Zambia, when a familymember is HIV-positive, the family’s financial resourcesshift from education to health. As girls are responsiblefor the traditionally female tasks – cooking, cleaningand nursing – they are expected to drop out of schoolto care for the sick.Globally, nearly 5 million young people were living withHIV in 2008. In Zambia, if a girl or boy is thought to beinfected with HIV, she or he is no longer sent to school.This lack of education leads to a vicious cycle of genderinequality, increased HIV infection and poverty. Whengirls and women are not given access to education,they cannot gain independence from men; when girlsdo not learn about HIV prevention, they are more likelyto be exposed to the virus.It is evident that we do not yet live in a fair andnon-discriminatory world: The rights of marginalizedchildren need to be better protected. It is the responsibilityof adolescents to focus our endeavours towardscreating a more equitable society in our lifetime.Cian McLeod lives in Balbriggan, Ireland. He is involved inhis community’s sports development programme and peermentoring. His experience volunteering in Mongu waswith the Sporting Fingal Zambian Mission. Cian’s goal is towork as an economist for developing countries. He wouldlike to make the world a fairer place.GLobal challenges for adolescents 57