NEW YORK: Violence against children discussed at the United Nations General Assembly

Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Forest Whitaker, heads of UN agencies and other dignitaries join victims and advocates to end violence against children at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

On the evening of September 22 in New York, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, heads of UN agencies and other dignitaries gathered with victims and advocates of the fight against violence against children. These people are present in New York, where world leaders are gathering to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79).

Victims, public figures and government officials from around the world, including Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland, Brazil and the United Kingdom, came together to deal with it this urgent issue at a small event, organized by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and coordinated by the Everyone Project, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly . The event was an opportunity to listen to testimonies from victims, as well as announcements and promises from the leaders present.

This high-level meeting comes days after the publication (on September 17) by victims, defenders and partners of a letter demanding urgent action from world leaders ahead of the first Ministerial Conference World on Human Rights ever held in Colombia next November.

Among the signatories of the letter were public figures such as Forest Whitaker, Shudu Musida and Will Poulter, who were also present at the special event.

According to figures from the World Health Organization, one out of two children in the world, more than a billion, is a victim of violence, whether physical violence, school bullying or online violence and sexual abuse. Other major forms of violence include gang violence, forced marriages and child labour.

Concrete actions show that innovative solutions can eliminate all forms of violence against children, they include support for parenting, the implementation of interventions in schools, the provision of social and health services on the change for children, adopt protective laws and ensure a safer internet for children. Countries that implement evidence-based strategies reduce violence against children by up to 50%.

Acting as master of ceremonies for the event, Will Poulter, actor and anti-harassment ambassador for the Diana Awards, said:
« Violence takes many forms, both physical and psychological, and leaves indelible marks on those who suffer it. With one billion children around the world suffering from such violence, these numbers are shocking, but they represent real life, and it is our duty to ensure that these children are protection »

The full letter can be viewed HERE.

In photo 1, from left to right: Dr. Daniela Ligiero, CEO of Together For Girls; HE Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; Shudu Musida, regional champion, committed to UNFPA; HSH Queen Mathilde of Belgium; Forest Whitaker, actor and activist; HSH Princess Mabel van Oranje; Bryanna Mariñas, youth worker; Will Poulter, actor; Prof. Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health at the World Health Organization; Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director.

In photo 2, from left to right: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.