WIDNet

Invisible Girls: The Life Circumstances and Legal Situation of Street Girls in Lusaka

Invisible Girls: The Life Circumstances and Legal Situation of Street Girls in Lusaka An action oriented research on “Invisible Girls: The Life Circumstances and Legal Situation of Street Girls in Lusaka” is a joint research project between Zambia Association for Research and Development (ZARD) and MAPODE (Movement of Community Action for the Prevention and Protection of Young People against Poverty, Destitution, Diseases and Exploitation). The project was funded by the Germany Technical Assistance to Zambia (GTZ). This document uncovers facts concerning the situation of female street children in Lusaka: by making available information on the life circumstances, profiles, legal and health situations as well as the background of the female street children, the report brings to the fore the needs of these forgotten children. The report brings out information on issues such as: • The circumstances and experiences of street girls, • Their educational levels; • Their reasons for being on the streets, • Their life on the streets, • Where they go to seek medical or legal attention, • Problems they encounter on the streets(i.e. sexual abuses and exploitation), and • Information on their views about street life as well as their needs and aspirations. The information is meant to be used as a tool in formulation of policies and programmes to address the concerns of Invisible Girls. For further information or reading, the report can be found at the ZARD resource centre; Plot 1517 Manchinchi Road, Northmead, Lusaka- Zambia or email: zardwidnet@microlink.zm; zard@microlink.zm