Appointment of a Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children

On the 27^th of November the UN General Assembly decided to establish a Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children. Save the Children welcomes this decision, which is an important step forward in the fight against all forms of violence against children. This historic opportunity is the result of years of campaigning on the part of children and young people, civil society and progressive governments worldwide and in response to the recommendations set out in the UN Study on Violence against Children. The decision forms part of new global commitments made by governments to realise the rights of children agreed each year in the Omnibus Resolution.

Save the Children Sweden took an active role in this campaign.  Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Secretary-General of Save the Children Sweden, says:
"At last the issue on violence against children is high on the international agenda where it can not be ignored. By this decision the member states of the UN General Assembly demonstrate that they have listened to our recommendations. Our possibilities to tackle violence against children improve when we have the support of the international community."

Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children UK, said: 
"The numbers are staggering. In any one year 150 million girls and 73 million boys are sexually assaulted, 126 million children are employed in hazardous work, and almost 2 million more are exploited in prostitution and pornography. And the list goes on... Finally, we have a high level and independent global leader to tackle violence against children.  Violence against children is no longer hidden. We must now ensure that it no longer remains accepted"

This new post will radically transform how the UN and the rest of the international community addresses problems of violence facing children. Individual UN agencies will be obliged to work together more closely and to prioritise the protection of children. Save the Children is taking this opportunity to:

- Urge governments to support this new appointment with the resources necessary to make this role a success
- Call upon governments to do more to put into practice the recommendations in the UN Study on Violence against Children 

Save the Children actively contributed to the UN Study on Violence against Children, which was launched at the UN this time last year and brought unprecedented attention to the devastating violence that affects children in every country and in every social context.  The decision symbolizes the continued commitment to end violence against children worldwide.

 

For more information, visit Save the Children Sweden's website