It is possible to end violence against children

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Levels of violence against children worldwide are at an all-time high and are on the rise, according to a latest UN report, which emphasizes that by working together, states and stakeholders can reverse this appalling trend. “The data shown in the report is alarming and likely underestimated,” said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid. “Millions of children worldwide are victims of physical, sexual, and psychological violence both online and offline, including child labor, child marriage, female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, trafficking, bullying, and cyberbullying, among many others.”

The report, published by the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, takes stock of the progress made and challenges remaining since the Office was established fifteen years ago. It states that ending violence against children is still possible if states and key stakeholders work together, increase programs and resources, and recognize that investing in child protection is a wise investment. “Change is possible. However, we need context-specific and sustainable investment to take solutions to scale,” added Dr Maalla M’jid. “Powerful examples of action by States and other key stakeholders -private sector, academia, religious leaders, human rights institutions, media, civil society and children themselves- demonstrate that the necessary paradigm shift can be achieved if we act collectively and differently, with a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,” said the Special Representative.

Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, briefs the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

The report emphasizes that investing in child protection is not an expense but a crucial and worthwhile investment with a high return on children’s well-being and society’s future. “Children are not a problem to resolve. They are an asset to invest in,” stressed Dr Maalla M’Jid.

The Special Representative stressed that strengthening cross-sectoral and multistakeholder collaboration is one of the aims of the reinvigorated global alliance of more than 40 Pathfinding countries to end violence against children, which she is leading since January 2024.

The official launch of the renewed global Pathfinding alliance will take place at the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogota, on 7 and 8 November. This Conference aims to be a game-changer, as it will be a key opportunity to maximize positive change for children.

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