Global action to end violence against children still lags behind risks: UN expert

“Nearly 45 million children are displaced because of conflict, also because of natural disasters, because of the climate crisis,” said Najat Maalla M’jid, while briefing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, Monday.

Food insecurity and the rapid spread of technology also hamper efforts to reduce violence against children, said Ms M’jid, after delivering her final speech. report to the General Assembly, which he described as a “wake-up call” for greater mobilization.

Its presentation to Member States coincided with the 20th anniversary of its first appearance UN global study on violence against children. Although the world has changed since then, he highlighted the “multiple complex ongoing crises” facing the international community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Young lives caught in crisis

Currently, one in five children lives in extreme poverty “and not only in poor countries but also in rich countries even though all the money has been distributed in the form of cash transfers, cash allowances and so on”, he said.

Other issues of concern are rising global prices and food insecurity, while some countries see a denial of human rights.

Add to this what he calls “the extraordinary, very rapid spread of technology, including AI, which offers opportunities but also opens up huge avenues for sexual exploitation of children, but also cyberbullying, deepfakes and involvement in criminal activity.”

Clear message

Ms M’jid began her remarks by reflecting on a 2006 UN study, which showed that violence against children occurs in every country and in all environments, whether at home, at school, in society and beyond.

He recalled his years of work and involvement – ​​including with children and young people – to produce the document.

“This important study really highlights two great principles: violence can always be prevented and violence can never be justified,” he said, noting that these messages are also reiterated in 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Failed attempt

The Special Representative said that the last two decades had brought legal and policy reforms, but also “many difficulties to ensure their effective implementation and to make services accessible to children and their caregivers”.

He pointed to “lessons learned”, such as the importance of having a strong political commitment translated into services that uphold the protection and welfare of children, with a dedicated budget.

He also praised the increasing participation of children and young people at all levels, as well as the strengthening of integrated services across the region.

“But the problem is that this is not being done on a large scale, and we are not moving quickly,” he said. “The problem is that our solutions always lag behind the risks.”

‘Kids don’t wait’

Twenty years after the UN General Assembly’s first report on violence against children, success in combating violence still depends on effective multilateralism, M’jid said, in particular, on how children can once again unite the world to ensure their protection and well-being.

He announced that 55 countries had joined Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children“and there is much more to come.”

Launching in 2024, this country-led platform aims to support countries in translating political commitments into concrete actions through measures such as peer-to-peer learning, strengthening cooperation and sharing practices.

Mrs. M’jid ended her speech by emphasizing that children and teenagers are part of the solution to end the violence they suffer.

“Kids don’t wait,” he said. “The kids are already taking action.”