HRC 13: UNICEF Statement in response to the SRSG on VAC

Summary: UNICEF statement to on the occasion of the Presentation of the report of Special Representative of the Secretary-General
on Violence against Children and interactive dialogue 13th session of the Human Rights Council, 11 March 2010.

Chairperson, Excellencies, colleagues, and friends

UNICEF would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children for her informative report, outlining the vision and priority areas for her work as well as the strategies for implementing her mandate.

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children brought the issue of violence against girls and boys to the forefront of international concern. The appointment by the Secretary-General of a Special Representative on Violence against Children to act as a high profile, global independent advocate to promote the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against girls and boys, has been instrumental to keep the issue high on the international agenda.

UNICEF welcomes the priority the Special Representative will place on the three overarching recommendations of the Study:

· the development in each State of a comprehensive strategy on violence against children;

· the introduction of an explicit national legal ban on all forms of violence against children; and

· the consolidation of national data collection systems, analysis and dissemination and research in this field.

We look forward to collaborate with the Special Representative and other partners in these and other areas, and appreciate the cooperation already initiated at global, regional and national levels.

In supporting the Member States in the development of comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to violence, it is crucial to strengthen child protection systems, including legislative and policy frameworks, social protection systems and comprehensive services for child victims and witnesses.

It is equally important to address the role of social norms in the persistence of human rights violations and their abandonment, through the promotion of positive, protective norms and behaviors. A key finding has been the importance of human rights education, including the opportunity for communities to discuss rights and relate them to existing social practices. The participation and empowerment of children is especially important, as well as the engagement of men and boys.

Mr Chair/Madame Chairperson

UNICEF would like to take this opportunity to express our strong support to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children. We urge Member States to support the Special Representative in her mandate through all means, including by taking urgent action to end all forms of violence against children, in all settings, and ensure that child victims and witnesses receive proper support. We offer our technical support to this end, and look forward to continued collaboration with all of you and the Special Representative.

Thank you.