Waiting Opportunities: Adolescent Girls' Experiences of Gender-based Violence at Schools

Violence against adolescent girls in South Africa takes place against a backdrop of pervasive gender violence in society.  This study – conducted with adolescent girls between the ages 13 – 17 – suggests that efforts by communities, schools and the state to address this violence are not a priority. Findings from 17 focus group discussions with adolescent girls at nine Gauteng schools suggest that minimal to no intervention efforts are underway at schools or in communities; participants appeared frustrated and despondent at the lack of services available to them.