“Girls are not free”—In and out of the South African school

Interviews conducted with township girls in South Africa show enduring experiences of sexual violence both in and out of the school. Fear of boys and men were articulated in relation to boyfriends, male teachers, men in the township neighbourhood and men in the home. While the girls attempted to exercise agency in arresting their fears, these appeared to be too limited in the context of great structural and social inequalities and the pervasiveness of gender norms through which male sexual violence is asserted. The implication for increasing girls’ exercise of agency is raised as a human rights issue.

► African girls fear boys, men and rape. ► Sexual violence is pervasive in and out of the school. ► African girls’ agency is limited in resisting violence. ► Girls’ freedoms are compromised.