Annotation:
This report documents and describes the high incidences of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment committed against South African schoolgirls by teachers and male schoolmates. While South African girls formally enjoy equal access to education, the sexual violence they encounter in schools impedes this access and violates their right to education. The report finds the gender-based discrimination persists because school officials, for the most part, do not take the situation seriously and sufficient coordination between the schools, police and courts does not exist. The report argues that sexual violence against girls in schools is so widespread that it should be viewed as a systemic problem and demands a national plan of action in light of South Africa’s international legal obligations.