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Summary: PARTNERS IN CHANGE
STATEMENT BY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Regional Consultation for the UN Study
against Violence against Children
17th – 18th May 2005, Islamabad, Pakistan
WHO WE ARE… we are children from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka who have made this statement.
We are 13 girls and 12 boys who have discussed issues of violence
against children, which takes place in our countries and in the region. In
the last two days we have shared our experiences, concerns and
achievements in taking action against violence. We looked at gaps and
made recommendations. Our discussions focused on three types of
violence: physical and psychological punishment, gender based violence
and child sexual abuse. We then prepared our own initiatives and actions
to address these issues.
WHERE AND HOW CHILDREN FACE VIOLENCE… Physical and psychological
violence, gender based violence and sexual abuse happen in different
degrees in all countries in the region. Violence not only has physical
consequences, but also psychological/emotional consequences, which
might even affect children more severely. Adults seldom listen to children
when they talk about abuse. Some forms of violence are considered
taboo. For example if children try to talk about child sexual abuse, adults
are afraid that the community will know about it and they might be
discriminated against. When children tell their family that they have been
sexually abused the family may feel dishonoured and it may even lead to
honour killing. If children are abused in school or at home they do not talk
to their friends because they feel ashamed about it. Some adults also
abuse children for their own pleasure.
In other cases adults think that punishment is good for children and do not
see it as abuse. Since many adults themselves were beaten or
psychologically punished as children they may believe it is necessary for
adults to punish children for the children’s own good. Also, parents may
not know different ways of bringing up children. In many countries
parents think it is their duty to get girls married at a young age. Young
brides may be tortured and harassed by their husband’s family for not
understanding family matters. We also discussed many other forms of
gender-based violence. When children suffer violence, they sometimes
learn to fight violence with violence. This is how cycles of violence are
continued.
WE ALSO DISCUSSED CAUSES OF VIOLENCE…
Sometimes cultural, traditional and / or religious practices can be harmful
for children.
At times poverty can cause neglect and violence since parents do not have
enough money to fulfil their needs or educate their children. Patterns of
violence are also reproduced from one generation to another, making a
cycle. Adults like teachers, may lack knowledge of children’s rights or the
affect of physical and psychological punishment. Discrimination and
unequal power relations in society also makes violence against children
worse. Some countries do not have laws on violence against children, or
their laws may not be enough to protect children. Often children are not
aware of how to get legal help. There are not enough counselling and
psycho-social services to rehabilitate children who have been
abused.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME ACTIONS TAKEN BY CHILDREN
We can keep a watch
For example, in some countries in the region, National Task Forces of
Children have been formed. These monitor situations related to violence
against children within the country and report to governments and NGOs
about it.
We can Help
Girls have developed centres to help other girls who are facing problems
such as abuse or threat of forced and early marriage.
We are a part of awareness raising
· Street Plays are used for making the community aware of abuse
by teachers and parents and its negative impact.
· Radio shows, monthly newspapers and movies made by children
for children.
· Child-to-Child forums are creating awareness of child rights.
· Children are involved in making visual arts and creating posters.
· Children make monthly bulletins that are displayed in their clubs
and in public places.
· Children have made documentaries on child abuse that have
been broadcast on satellite channels.
WE RECOMMEND
· Adults should listen to children’s suggestions on how to address
violence against children and activate them
· Governments make the laws concerning children in line with the
CRC and make sure that they are strictly implemented
· Create and have special task forces all over the country to end
violence
· Create and hold regular consultations with the parents’ as well
as children’s committees and community leaders
· Create child-related laws and stop violence against children
· Involve parents, teachers, NGOs and children in programs to
address violence against children. Community should pressurise
government administration to stop violence.
· Government should also use the existing government and NGO
bodies for stopping violence against children
· Raise parents’ awareness of the CRC by establishing a parents
association in the community so that they can raise their voices on
violence against girls/boys
· Parents should be more connected with their children – listen to
them and see things from their point of view
· Media should not use names, pictures and addresses of children
who have been abused
· Produce more child friendly information and materials on violence
against girls and boys and its prevention
· Children who are a part of children’s clubs, task forces, child
parliaments and child media groups should be trained on violence against
children so that they can train more children to end violence
· Children need to be informed of the responsibilities that come
along with rights so that they also do not abuse other children
End Physical and psychological/emotional punishment and promote love
and affection for children
· Governments should create national laws against physical and
psychological punishment and make systems to implement and properly
monitor these
· Teachers should behave lovingly and affectionately towards
children
· Governments should ensure that laws are widely known by
everybody
· Teachers should be given proper teacher’s training and training
on positive discipline and parents on parental education
· There should be mechanisms in school and out of school where
children can complain about severe punishment
End Gender Based Violence
· Parents should know about children’s rights and treat girls and
boys equally
· The government should make laws for violence against girls
specifically and implement them strictly throughout the country
· Governments should raise awareness frequently and regularly
on violence against girls- through media, such as radio, papers, television,
posters, notices and school curriculum throughout the country
End Child Sexual Abuse
· Try to implement the laws of the CRC relating to sexual abuse
for children and abusers
· Counselling and other support should be accessible in the
community for the children
· Forming Child Task Forces which will work on preventing child
sexual abuse
· Include prevention of child sexual abuse education in the
curriculum – provide safety education from a young age
WE URGE YOU TO ACTIVATE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND OTHERS MADE
BY CHILDREN IN PREVIOUS CONSULTATIONS AND TO INVOLVE US WHEN
DESIGNING ACTIONS ON VIOLENCE AGAINST GIRLS AND BOYS IN EACH
COUNTRY AND THE REGION.