Ya es hora

Ending violence against children is a legal and an ethical imperative. It is also a universal goal. It is high time to close the gap between international standards, political commitments and action. It is high time to mobilise all those who can promote a culture of respect for children’s rights and of zero tolerance for violence. In the countdown to 2030, everybody counts and everybody is needed. Governments, countless organizations and millions of individuals around the world share a commitment to the safeguarding of children’s rights and promotion of non-violent values that will secure children’s healthy development in a safe and nurturing environment. 

The High Time to End Violence against Children initiative believes in the transformative power of leaders from all walks of life and people’s determination to stand up for children. It is an innovative Talent and Time Raising effort aiming at stimulating and supporting initiatives designed to stop violence against children worldwide and reach the violence-related targets in the Sustainable Development Goals, especially target 16.2 to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. 

From commitment to action

The High Time to End Violence against Children initiative aims at connecting the need for action with the willingness and commitment to make a difference. Using ICTs, the Internet and Social Media, it offers a platform for governments, organizations, institutions, children and adults to express commitment to children’s freedom from violence and support initiatives to prevent and respond to violence.

The High Time to End Violence against Children initiative also offers valuable information and resources to support and monitor progress in global efforts to stop violence against children.  This collaborative effort enables access to expertise and advice, while providing visibility to partners’ initiatives.

It is High Time to end all forms of violence against children! 

At the launch of the initiative, the UN Secretary-General highlighted in his message that "Violence can be prevented, and we know how.
By working to change social norms, beliefs and deeply-rooted attitudes and behaviours, and by addressing poverty, discrimination, social exclusion and weak rule of law—factors that we know fuel violence and increase children’s vulnerability—we can build a safer world for our children. It is high time to end all forms of violence against children."

It is indeed high time to close the gap between international standards, political commitments and action. It is high time to promote a culture of respect for children’s rights and of zero tolerance for violence. 

And it is high time to ignite and mobilise all those who can actively engage in an effort to translate the vision of a world free from violence into a reality for all children!

Ending violence against children has become a truly universal goal. It is important to tap into this huge potential and re-ignite a truly universal and inclusive movement to end violence against children. 

► An inclusive, universal movement

The roll out of the movement will be designed to amplify and maximize the opportunities to engage at international, regional, national and local levels towards the common goal of accelerating progress in the elimination of violence against children. Participants will be invited to sign a pledge for children and adhere to the ethos of the High Time Movement.

The Time Keepers

Time keepers can join the High Time Movement as supporters and/ or implementing partners: 
1.    As supporters by: 
a.    Committing and undertaking concrete action to end violence against children;
b.    Identifying opportunities for the promotion of the initiative;
c.    Mobilising their constituencies and networks. 
2.    As implementing partners by: 
a.    Providing a platform for the High Time Movement at national or local level, monitoring High Time activities, in particular by taking all necessary measures to minimize risks and enhance child safety; 
b.    Helping to measure progress. 
Examples of Time Keepers: UN agencies and actors, International and Regional organisations and institutions, Ombudspersons, Civil Society organisations, Professional networks, Networks of Mayors, Business Sector alliances, Child-led Organisations.

The Time Raisers

Time Raisers are opinion leaders, authoritative voices and advocates in favour of children’s protection from violence. At least 20% of them should be children. Through their highly prominent involvement, Time Raisers promote a culture of non-violence and respect for children’s rights, inspiring others to join.  

Time raisers can join the High Time Movement by committing to:
1.    Sign a pledge for children; 
2.    Support the movement through concrete action; 
3.    Mobilizing other Time Raisers into the High Time Movement, including children.
Examples of Time Raisers: Heads of State and Government, Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, leaders of faith-based organizations, Young Leaders, Private Sector CEOs, leaders from the world of culture, media, sports and the arts, including writers, architects, designers, actors, singers, athletes, etc.

The Count-down Team

 A core advisory group whose mission is to:
a.    Advise on the development and promotion of the High Time Movement;
b.    Support dialogue and engagement to advance international efforts towards SDG target 16.2; 
c.    Stimulate and assess progress through their networks and actions;
d.    Strengthen access to, and use of information and communication resources to accelerate progress towards the elimination of violence against children.

High Time to end violence against Children Video

        

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

National Implementation

The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is giving tremendous impetus to the common endeavour to end violence against children. Many Member States are adopting comprehensive and cohesive nationally owned sustainable development plans towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. These plans need to be supported by predictable resources and informed by solid evidence and robust, reliable and disaggregated data. Progress towards the Goals needs to be periodically reviewed, and it is essential that such national reviews address progress on the violence-related targets.

Investing in children is crucial if the targets are to be reached, but there is still a long way to go. While half of those living in extreme poverty are children and half of the world’s children are affected by violence each year, budget allocations for these fundamental dimensions of children’s well-being are often inadequate. Furthermore, official development assistance mobilized towards ending violence against children remains wholly insufficient. Indeed, as noted in a recent report, the average official development assistance per child and per year to address violence in low-income countries amounts to less than $0.65, or less than 0.6 per cent of total official development assistance.

 

Legislation
Examples on how States use legislation to prohibit violence
Examples of laws that prevent violence
Examples of Constitutions that have integrated the Convention on the Rights of the Child into the national legal system
Examples of establishing complaints mechanisms through law
Links to useful resources in the field of law reform

National Policies
Independent human rights institutions for children (Ombuds)
Safe reporting