Below is the summary of issues surfaced by the girl children based on the consultations conducted in select urban and rural areas. Age Bracket 9-11 years old 12-14 old years Table 1. Summary of Issues Raised by Girl Children 1 2 Rural Urban 1. Lack opportunity to play. Girl 1. Bullying. Many girl children said that the following children at this age bracket factors hinder their enjoyment experienced bullying of their right to play: they have oftentimes experienced at no playmate, they are not school and done by their allowed to play, they are sick, classmates. they have disabilities, and there are no playgrounds. 2. Thief. Some girl children Some are also expected to commit thief because not stay in the house or work to given with an allowance or help the family inability to buy material 2. Access to education​. Girl things needed in school. children reported that the distance of schools from their 3. Family problems. Some girl houses, and poverty or lack of children mentioned that jobs of their parents prevent oftentimes they burdened them from going to school. of family problems which include financial problem, 3. Child and sexual abuse. Girls quarreling of parents, and have heard stories about children getting raped and fighting among or with even killed. siblings. 4. Discrimination. ​Girls relayed that they experience discrimination due to due to stereotypes and expectations, in particular: - Expectations with regard to how girls should act and look. - Bullying due to physical appearance is prevalent especially among girls - Discrimination because of their status in life, particularly if they are poor Girl children reported that discrimination and bullying lead to weak performance in schools and eventually to dropping out from schools. 4. Bullying. This age group also mentioned bullying as among the issues confronting them. They also experience it at school with classmates. 5. Loitering. Many of girl children are loitering even at school and especially at night when at home. This angers their teachers and or parents as it exposes them to violence. 6. Disrespectfulness​. Many of these girl children talk back or turned their back 1 Based on the documentation of the consultation-workshops conducted in the Provinces of Benguet and Rizal. Based on the documentation of the consultation-workshops conducted with girl children from Caloocan City, and Batasan and Kaingin in Quezon City. 2 6