Sexism and harassment in schools as gender inequality continues

This is the stark message in the second State of girls’ rights in the UK report published by charity Plan International UK.

The 172-page report, which is based on interviews with young women aged 10 to 25, as well as literature reviews and Plan International UK’s own annual surveys, catalogues a range of areas where girls continue to face worse outcomes, discrimination and harassment.

Key areas of concern include gender-based violence, street harassment, the culture of silence and taboo over menstruation, the impact of pornography on young people, and issues of mental health, body image and self-esteem.

On education, the report says that our system needs an overhaul: “Girls are outperforming boys in educational attainment, but sexism and harassment in school is rife. Subject choices are still gendered, and gender stereotypes are impacting girls’ future career opportunities.”