Working together with children to end violence by 2030 - SRSG Maalla M’jid presents first report to UN General Assembly

New York, 8 October 2019 - SRSG Najat Maalla M’jid calls on member States to join efforts to keep the promise made to children in the Sustainable Development Agenda to end violence against children by 2030.

In the presentation of her first annual report to the 74nd Session of United Nations General Assembly, the Special Representative announced the development of a practical and results-oriented road map for the work of the mandate, to be shared with all stakeholders “to define concrete and joint actions at the global, regional, and national levels to keep our promise to children to end violence by 2030.”

“My mandate will work as a bridge builder and catalyst for change. I will use a participatory and consultative approach to support cooperation and constructive dialogue with all relevant stakeholders. Most importantly, I will ensure that children are at the heart of all our endeavors through a holistic and child-centered approach that emphasizes children’s role as agents of change.”

Dr. Maalla M’jid commended the growing attention given to voices of youth by member States, particularly in the framework of the current session of the UN General Assembly, but emphasized that “the unique perspective of children cannot be replaced.”

“We need to keep a focus on the whole life cycle of children and young people. Ending violence against children requires the meaningful participation of children. Listening to children’s voices and treating children as active participants with full rights will be crucial if we are to make real progress in creating a world for children that is free from violence. This also calls for wide participation throughout the development, implementation, and follow‐up and review processes of policy responses at the national level. This needs to be accompanied by effective measures to ensure accountability” added the SRSG.

In a symbolic year marked by the tenth anniversary of the mandate as well as the thirtieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the first phase of implementation of the 2030 Agenda, Dr. Maalla M’jid recalled that this is “an appropriate moment to take stock of progress, identify shortfalls and highlight strategic actions needed to realize the vision of a world free from fear and from violence against children by 2030. We need to act better and faster, not only on behalf of those who are children today, but for the 1 billion individuals who will be born between now and 2030: the children who will inherit a post-SDG world. The best way to ensure that no child is left behind is to put them first!” concluded Dr. Maalla M’jid.

Read the annual report