Geneva — The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, presented her annual report to the Human Rights Council at its 34th session, calling on States to prioritize early childhood as a critical w
10/03/2017
Geneva — The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, presented her annual report to the Human Rights Council at its 34th session, calling on States to prioritize early childhood as a critical window for violence prevention.
"Violence prevention must start in early childhood. The earliest years of a child's life are the most formative — and the most vulnerable. Adverse experiences in early childhood can have lifelong consequences for children's health, well-being and development," said SRSG-VAC Marta Santos Pais.
The SRSG's annual report highlighted the importance of parenting support programmes, early childhood development services, and home visiting initiatives as evidence-based strategies for preventing violence against young children.
The SRSG also drew attention to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG target 16.2 on ending all forms of violence against children, and called on States to develop national action plans with measurable targets, timelines, and adequate resources to deliver on this commitment.
She commended States that have enacted comprehensive legislation prohibiting all forms of violence against children, including corporal punishment in all settings, and urged those that have not yet done so to take the necessary legislative action.
The HRC resolution on the rights of the child adopted at the 34th session welcomed the work of the SRSG and called for continued attention to violence prevention across all settings.