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STATEMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE ACCRA REGIONAL FORUM ON VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN, ACCRA 31/08-03/09 2010 – MESSAGES TO THE SRSG:
Our expectations for SRSG will be:
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To help find effective solutions to fight violence against children
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Help take necessary measures that have to be taken against those who are perpetrating violence against children
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We want the SRSG to do regular fields visits to encourage denunciations
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The SRSG should support our Governments so that they focus on child protection in our schools. In this way, children will be more aware about violence inflicted on them by teachers and children, as well as close family relatives and will learn to say NO to bad treatment.
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We are suffering from various kinds of violence in schools perpetrated by teachers. These forms of violence include:
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Sex with girls for grades
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Excessive flogging/ corporal punishment
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Kneeling down on stones for long periods of time
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Forcing girls to fetch water (sometimes ten buckets) for teachers
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Teachers verbally abusing children and their parents
The SRSG should help also to ensure that the Governments pass laws against these abuses. If the Government makes and enforces laws to stop violence against children in schools, the school authorities will abide. If the laws are not enforced, it will be difficult for us children to say NO to violence. For example, if teachers forcing girls to have sex with them for grades have their certificates seized, then we the girls can feel confident to say NO, and report them to authorities.
We want the SRSG to advise children and youth of Africa on the implementations of their project to eradicate violence.
We want to be informed on the strategies of the UN to help overcome the challenges facing children face when they talk about violence.
We want the SRSG to take a mandate from the participants to the UN urging them to call on all leaders and governments to make strong commitment in support of every campaign to end all forms of violence.
More information
Read Updates: DAY 1 / DAY 2 / DAY 3 / Statement to SRSG / Profiles young people / SRSG Statement