Thousands of children are at risk in the Ecuador

In the last twenty years, teen births increased by 81 %

The national gender advisor for International Plan, Miriam Ernest,  indicates that violence, teenage pregnancy, low level of education and child domestic labour are four of the main risks to which the children of Ecuador are exposed.

One of every ten girls and adolescents, between 5 and 14 years, are exposed to child labour, in addition to this, 80 percent of them performed household chores, according to data from this entity.

Ernest reveals that another worrying figure is violence in different aspects. Of a  100%, 69% of girls have been victims of gender violence, especially of sexual abuse, and 71% of these abuses are commited by a family member.

The Adviser explains that certain cases are not reported by social oppression. In the case of the children raped by their parents, is often the mother who does not report it, to prevent her husband to go to jail.

Other risks to which the children are exposed is pregnancy. In the last twenty years  teen births increased by 81%.

In terms of education, 14 per cent of indigenous girls do not attend school, compared to 11.7% of boys.

“Before all this problems, Plan International will launch the campaign ´Por being a girl”, that it will be launched on March 31 in Guayaquil, and its purpose is  to raise awareness and educate citizens about the situation of  children.