The current report that has been released shows that unless boys join the cause, girls are fighting a losing battle for gender equality.
The findings compiled in the 2011 edition of ‘because I am a Girl: The State of the World’s Girls’ in printed by the International children’s rights organization; Plan International.
The edition this year asks the question, “So, what about the boys?”
The survey attributes that the solution of the inequality problem is the working together by men, women, boys, girls and teenagers of all sexes.
“The boys have the power that has been given to them from childhood,” Hamimu Masudi, Plan’s campaign co-coordinator for East and Southern Africa, told agencies.
“If you’re going to get the girls to have power, then you’ve got to engage the boys.”
The report argues that boys must be influenced of the unfairness of gender inequality to be committed to changing it.
The survey was carried out to more than 4,000 people ranging from 12- to 18-year-olds from countries including Rwanda, India and the United Kingdom, revealing gender stereotypes that are still deeply entrenched in both boys and girls.
Sixty five per cent of participants from Indian and Rwanda somewhat agreed that a woman should tolerate violence to keep her family together.
A further 43 per cent agreed there are times when a woman deserves to be beaten.
Sixty seven per cent of boys and 71 per cent of girls surveyed in Rwanda believe changing diapers, bathing and feeding the kids are a mother’s responsibility as did 83 per cent of boys and 87 per cent of girls in India.
Over 60 per cent of participants in India believe when money is tight it is better to educate a boy instead of a girl.
The report also found that toys are often differentiated by sex, with advertisers pitching them to girls and boys differently. Nor is this confined to the northern hemisphere, as North American toys are often imported to Latin American countries as Well.
Challenging gender stereotypes that are sometimes reinforced by community, culture and religion is challenging in both boys and girls.
In many countries, there is a higher worth placed on boys from birth, and it comes with high expectations.
“They’ve been told never to cry,” said Masudi. “They have been told when they are sick they should not go in bed.”
According to the report, boys living in that macho pressure cooker can suffer lower academic scores and be more likely to take part in destructive and violent behaviors.
Boys also benefit, however, when there is more equality in the relationship with their female contemporaries, Masudi said.
The empowerment and education of girls has long been identified as a key factor in reducing poverty, particularly in developing nations.
Plan International chief executive Nigel Chapman said, “Of course, many boys are affected by poverty lack of opportunity and also violence, but girls face double discrimination by being young and by being female.
“Everyone, including boys, benefits from a more just, equal world but it cannot be attained by girls alone we must all play a more active part.”
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