New York — During the High-Level Week of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, called on world leaders to accelerate action to ful
19/09/2017
New York — During the High-Level Week of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, called on world leaders to accelerate action to fulfil SDG target 16.2 — ending all forms of violence against children by 2030.
"Two years into the 2030 Agenda, we must move from commitment to action. Ending violence against children is not only the right thing to do — it is an investment in a more peaceful, just and prosperous world," said SRSG-VAC Marta Santos Pais.
The SRSG participated in high-level dialogues and side events on child protection, emphasizing the critical importance of national action plans, multi-sectoral approaches, and adequate investment in prevention and response systems.
She highlighted the role of the SRSG's annual report to the General Assembly in tracking progress on violence prevention, and called on Member States to strengthen data collection systems, improve child-sensitive reporting mechanisms, and ensure accountability for children's right to live free from violence.
The SRSG also underscored the importance of child participation in policy-making processes, noting that children's voices must be heard and their perspectives must shape the solutions that affect their lives.
She reiterated the global call to end all forms of corporal punishment, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and online violence — reaffirming the universal applicability of the prohibition of violence against children.