“As an activist in the women’s movement, I’m proud of expanding life choices for our daughters But no one did the same for our sons.” — Best-selling author Gail Sheehy

ENDING THE BOY CRISIS

The “Boy Crisis” refers to the plummeting academic performance, depression, addiction, and other problems among boys.

Strategies and Solutions:

CHILD LABOR AND HAZARDOUS WORK

  • International Labor Organization: Among all boys ages 5 to 17, 11.2% are in child labor, compared to 7.8% of girls.
  • Child labor is more prevalent among boys than girls at every age:
    • 5-11 years: Boys: 10.9%; Girls: 8.4%
    • 12-14 years: Boys: 11.0%; Girls 7.5%
    • 15-17 years:  Boys: 12.2%; Girls: 6.8%
  • Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the highest prevalence of children in child labor. Europe and North America have the lowest prevalent of child labor.
  • Hazardous Work: 79.0 million children are involved in work that directly endangers
    their health, safety, and moral development:

    • Boys: 5.8%
    • Girls: 3.6%

CHILD SOLDIERS

  • According to the 2023 Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (A/78//247):
    • Abducted: 62.1% male
    • Killed or maimed: 73.0% male
    • Child victims of at least one “grave” violation: 74.4% male
  • UN Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

SEXTORTION

UNDERNUTRITION

  • A review of 44 studies conducted in 30 countries around the world found undernutrition — wasting, stunting and underweight — is more likely to affect boys than girls. The authors conclude, “These findings challenge commonly held assumptions within the nutrition community that girls are more likely to be affected by undernutrition.”

PRESS RELEASES