SRSG celebrates the historic global commitment to end violence against children

New York, 2 August 2015 - On Sunday, 2 August, the Member States of the United Nations agreed the final text of “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the post 2015 outcome document for adoption at the UN Summit in September in New York. The vision in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of “a world free of fear and violence”, and the significant new goals and targets towards ending all forms of violence against children are a rallying call to urgent action.   

As Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, I have long advocated for the protection of children from violence to be a distinct and cross-cutting priority in the new agenda. As a result of the collective effort of governments, the UN, civil society and children themselves, the new agenda recognizes the right of all children to a life free from violence, and that ending violence is essential for sustainable development. Reaching the targets will require increased investment and commitment from all sectors of society but this is a goal the world can reach. Joining hands together we can secure a future in which every child can grow up happy, healthy, resilient, well-educated, culturally sensitive and effectively protected from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.