Despite significant progress driven by the United Nations (UN) and mechanisms such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, children worldwide remain vulnerable to violence caused by structural issues like discrimination, displacement, and poverty. In response, the Working Group on Children and Violence of Child Rights Connect, composed of civil society organizations dedicated to children’s rights, has developed a publication with recommendations to address these critical issues.
On September 10th, the Working Group, co-convened by Arigatou International and World Vision, launched this publication during the 57th session of the Human Rights Council at Palais des Nations in Geneva. The event was organized by Child Rights Connect, the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the UN in Geneva, the World Health Organization and the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children. More than 120 participants attended the event, including representatives from 31 Permanent Missions to the UN in Geneva, and more than 50 individuals from different countries joined online.
The publication “Eliminating Violence Against Children: Promoting the Adoption of Effective Measures for Ending Violence Against Children Through Human Rights Engagement” focuses on successful strategies rather than shortcomings. It highlights seven states—Zambia, Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Paraguay, Colombia, Indonesia, and Sweden—that have effectively addressed violence against children. Key strategies identified include political will, legislative frameworks, adequate budget allocation, capacity strengthening, multisectoral collaboration, child involvement, international cooperation and rigorous monitoring and evaluation.
Recommendations for other states include adopting and implementing appropriate legislation, enforcing national child rights policies and action plans, establishing national data collection systems, allocating sufficient budgets, training human resources across sectors, engaging children in solutions and fostering international cooperation and accountability.
Key speakers at the launch included His Excellency Mr. Gustavo Gallon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Colombia. H.E. Mr. Gallon described the publication as a testament to his country’s unwavering commitment to protecting children. Ms. Najat Maala M’jit, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, stressed the importance of involving children in solutions, noting, “Children have to be on board as part of the solution because they know very well what works and what doesn’t.” As violence impacts every aspect of life, and children often bear the brunt, it is crucial to include them in collaborative efforts to find sustainable solutions.
Ms. Maria Lucia Uribe, Executive Director of Arigatou International – Geneva, presented the main aspects of the publication, and emphasized, “Violence is preventable, violence can be effectively addressed, violence can be eliminated.” Ms. Anne-Marie Vuignier, UN Representative at World Vision International echoed this sentiment, stating, “We have very important tools; now it is about implementing them,” as she moderated the discussion.
Speakers included the Permanent Representatives from states highlighted in the publication for their effective methods in combating violence against children. Ms. Carolina Solano, External Relations Advisor, from the Permanent Mission of Colombia, expressed her hope that the publication would aid other countries in policy-making. H.E. Mr. Frebriann Ruddyard from the Permanent Mission of Indonesia and H.E. Mr. Lansana Gberie from Sierra Leone emphasized stakeholder engagement and initiatives like school feeding programs. Deputy Permanent Representative of Zambia, Mr. Trevor Sichombo and H.E. Ana Edelmira Rolon, from the Permanent Mission of Paraguay highlighted the importance of multistakeholder cooperation and integrating children’s voices. “We need not only to rely on law and budget allocation, but with multistakeholder cooperation and integrating the voices of children,” she stated. From the Permanent Mission of Montenegro H.E. Ms. Slavica Milacic closed the country presentations with a global call to action, “ It’s time to translate our commitment to concrete actions.”
As the event neared its conclusion, Ms. Sabine Rakotomalala, Senior Technical Advisor at the World Health Organization, urged states to register for the upcoming Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children to be held on November 7-8, 2024, in Bogotá, Colombia. Ms. Brikena Zogaj, Senior Advisor on Child Protection at World Vision, concluded the event with a powerful message: “I choose hope.” She echoed the urgent plea of children, emphasizing that “every five minutes a child dies as a result of violence.” She urged states not to delay action, underscoring the critical need for immediate and sustained efforts to end violence against children.
Arigatou International expresses gratitude to the organizing partners, the representatives of Permanent Missions and the participants joining both onsite and online, for making this launch a success.
