An average of one child per family is out of school in Honduras’ most violent areas, according to the report. Just one third of today’s generation of school-goers can access a secure educational space.
“A whole generation in Honduras is about to be lost. The effect of the violence is an invisible epidemic affecting whole communities and it’s happening below everyone’s radar,” warned Visnes.
Criminal gangs control large areas of the country’s main cities, where poverty is rampant. Forced displacement, threats, kidnapping, sexual violence and homicides are commonplace. The situation is particularly hard on children.
“In addition to the violence, the State is unable to protect people from violence of criminal gangs, which leads to the adoption of personal protection strategies. Left without other options, the strategy often becomes to hide or flee,” said Visnes.
Violence has displaced at least 174,000 within Honduras. Families fleeing violence often leave under the cover of night, not allowing them to take many personal belongings. Parents send threatened children off alone in an attempt to save their lives. Many minors try to make their way to the USA.
The US government recorded more than 10,468 cases of unaccompanied Honduran children between October 2015 and September of 2016 – nearly double the 2015 figure and more than six times 2013 statistics. Approximately half fled violence and insecurity.
“School dropout is an indicator of a serious crisis, not only within the educational sector but for the entire society. When children are prevented from going to school they are also prevented from having a future,” said Visnes.
NRC, with the support from the European Union, is ensuring that thousands of displaced children, or children at risk of being displaced, in Honduras can access school.
“We must increase our humanitarian support, including our efforts on education, for children affected by violence. This needs to happen now,” Visnes said.
From the report:
- According to the report, boys and girls participate in criminal gang activities from the age of eight. In 2015, 3 out of 10 criminal gang members arrested for extortion were minors.
- Honduras has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. During the first half of 2016, the rate of homicide victims aged between 10 and 14 years was 61 per 100,000 in-habitants. The rate increases dramatically from 15 to 19 years of age (102.8 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants).
- This violence affects boys and girls differently. For each violent death of a female, there are ten deaths of males.
- Girls tend to suffer more from sexual abuse and exploitation. Over the last ten years, more than 15,000 cases of sexual abuse against girls were reported, and the number is growing. The report shows that, in areas with criminal gang presence, 1 in 5 families has a minor who is already a parent. 1 in 4 women between 14 and 19 years old in Honduras have been pregnant at least once.
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Media contacts |
Phone number: |
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Tuva R. Bogsnes, Head of Media & Communications David Garcia, Media advisor, Bogota, Colombia |
+ 47 93231883 + 57 321 4957209 |