A/59/258 things, to apply for observer status at the African Commission, to bring communications before it for consideration, to lobby the members of the Commission who come from areas where there are indigenous peoples, as well as to urge the appointment of a special rapporteur of the African Commission on indigenous issues in Africa. G. Indigenous women and girls 51. Special attention should be paid at the national and international levels to violations of the rights of women, and especially of indigenous adolescents and girls; in many countries, they are subjected to various forms of violence, exploitation and discrimination, situations which have been brought forcefully to the Special Rapporteur’s attention. In the context of the status of women, on the one hand, and girls, on the other, that of indigenous women and girls does not appear to have drawn much attention from the authorities or the media. Nevertheless, such violations may be very serious, including physical abuse, rape and sexual harassment; extreme economic exploitation; denial of their civil rights; discrimination in the justice system; racism; and exclusion from public social services, especially in the areas of health, housing and education. The particularly sensitive situation of indigenous girls is of paramount importance in as much as they are often the most vulnerable victims of discrimination, exclusion and marginalization. The Special Rapporteur appeals to the national and international authorities and bodies responsible for promoting gender equality and the rights of the child to pay particular attention to indigenous children and adolescents throughout the world. 52. According to reports received, the situation of indigenous women and girls during periods of armed conflict is particularly serious. During his mission to Colombia, the Special Rapporteur heard many accounts of the devastating effects of armed conflict on indigenous women and girls, who are subjected to indiscriminate murder, massive displacements, forced recruitment of their sons into the ranks of armed groups, rape and destruction of their land by guerrilla and paramilitary groups and other participants in bloody armed conflicts. 53. Indigenous children make up the most vulnerable segment of society. In various parts of the world, they suffer disproportionately from malnutrition, poverty and discrimination. They are sometimes subjected to police brutality, and their human rights are violated with impunity. Because many schools fail to respect their cultural and linguistic specificity, indigenous children also tend to be viewed as incompetent or retarded students; this worsens the vicious circle of marginalization and discrimination. 54. Although the Committee on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF and UNESCO have made commendable efforts to examine this issue in greater depth, the Special Rapporteur wishes to draw the attention of the General Assembly to the lack of substantive studies and disaggregated data at country level regarding indigenous children. If significant progress is to be made in providing support and assistance for a group which is often neglected and forgotten by the rest of the population, effective action must be taken in that regard. 15