From killing and maiming to recruitment, sexual abuse, and abduction, “violence against children in armed conflict can take many forms”, said Secretary-General António Guterres, in a special message delivered at the launch of a new UN advocacy campaign – Act to Protect Children Affected by Conflict.
“Should a child survive and be fortunate enough to be released to a reintegration programme, they still have only a slim chance of recovery”, he said in remarks read out at a launch event in UN Headquarters, by staff member Sharon Riggle.
The UN chief pointed out that a lack of resources and a failure to provide long-term assistance to victims and their communities “have made many children open to the second victimization, either through the stigmas they carry or through inadequate education and growth opportunities, leaving them trapped in a cycle of violence and despair”.
The new global campaign aims to “raise worldwide awareness, assist children in need and prevent them from becoming victims in the first place”, according to Mr. Guterres.
Chairing the launch event, Virginia Gamba, the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, said that the campaign would better protect children “who have been used and abused by – in and for – armed conflict around the globe”.
She maintained that there was an “urgent need” to raise awareness about what she terms the six grave violations, namely the killing and maiming of children; recruitment or use of children as soldiers; sexual violence against children; abduction of children; and attacks against schools or hospitals.
While noting the “important progress” achieved so far, Ms. Gamba argued that “our work is far from over”.
“Consensus, tools will not bring the change we need if they are not followed by tangible actions for the children who need it the most”, said the Special Representative.
She highlighted some of the actions that the campaign would push for, including the Paris Principles, the Safe Schools Declaration and the more recent Vancouver Principles.
Original source: UN News
Published on 02 April 2019
