Opportunity 2019
In 2019, we have a historic opportunity to accelerate more and better action to end violence against children. The backbone of this opportunity is made-up of three UN-led moments: the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) assessment of progress against Sustainable Development Goal 16 in July 2019; the Heads of Government Assessment of Progress Against all Sustainable Development Goals in September 2019; and the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which will be celebrated in November 2019.
End Violence members are joining hands, coordinating plans, and mobilizing actions to accelerate implementation for children. These members include organisations such as World Vision International, PLAN International, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies, Together for Girls, UNICEF, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, United Nations Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Save the Children International, the ChildFund Alliance, and the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children.
Together, these partners are:
- Raising awareness;
- Showcasing solutions, progress and lessons learned;
- Demonstrating links between ending violence against children (Sustainable Development Goal 16.2) and the other Sustainable Development Goals; and
- Inspiring new commitments to ending violence against children from governments and other major actors.
To seize the historic opportunities in 2019, partners are supporting:
- Pathfinding countries to present quality voluntary national reviews at the High Level Political Forum in July, sharing results and stories as inspiring models for others to follow;
- Governments to make specific political commitments – backed by action and resources – to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 16.2;
- Synergies with other Sustainable Development Goals and their respective partnerships and networks, to put children front and centre of Agenda 2030 and ensure their participation; and
- Growth in the movement from governments, civil society organizations, foundations, faith-based groups, United Nations agencies, academia, the private sector and the media.
Every child, everywhere, deserves to be healthy, educated and safe.
One billion children experience violence, which undermines every Sustainable Development Goal on the table – but we can and will stop that.
Violence against children is a global issue. It happens at school, online, at home and in communities.
Every child matters: we can and must end violence against children.
Leaders everywhere can make a difference and take action.
