South Asia

The Special Representative has established a firm institutional collaboration with the South Asian Initiative to End Violence against Children, a SAARC Apex Body, having participated in the first meeting of its Governing Board as well as in the technical workshop on law reform, both held in Kathmandu in November 2010.

The meetings reflected on national developments and prevailing challenges and were aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in the elimination of violence against children. They also provided an opportunity to review opportunities for the introduction of a legal ban on all forms of violence against children.

The Initiative was formed in 2010 to guide the process of national implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations study. Its strategic plan for 2010–2015 includes time-bound targets to help to monitor periodic progress achieved. This process is overseen by the Governing Body, comprising national coordinators representing the eight Governments in the region, and with leading coordinating responsibilities at the national level, two representatives from civil society organizations and two representatives from the Regional Child Participation Network.

The process aims at the institutionalization of the collaboration with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and will open avenues to further strengthen the protection of children from violence in the region.

The Special Representative’s cooperation with the Initiative has been further pursued and continues to provide a strategic occasion to strengthen cooperation with critical partners in South Asia, including the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, national governments, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, and with community-based organizations and children’s advocates on violence against children.

Governance Structures

South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC)

Political Declarations

Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals relating to Ending Violence against Children in South Asia - SAIEVAC - (2016)

The Beijing Declaration on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in the Asia Pacific Region

The New Delhi Declaration on South-South Cooperation for Child Rights in Asia and the Pacific

Report South Asia Follow Up Regional Consultation on The UN Study on Violence against Children - Colombo (2012)

Colombo Declaration

The South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC) Workplan 2010 - 2015

Strategic Developments

Cross regional roundtable

Joint Statement round table of regional organisations and institutions on the protection of children from all forms of violence (2019)

Joint Statement round table of regional organisations and institutions on the protection of children from all forms of violence (2018)

Joint Statement round table of regional organisations and institutions on the protection of children from all forms of violence (2017)

Joint Statement round table of regional organisations and institutions on the protection of children from all forms of violence (2016)

Joint Statement round table of regional organisations and institutions on the protection of children from all forms of violence (2015)

Joint Statement round table of regional organisations and institutions on the protection of children from all forms of violence (2014)

Joint Statement round table of regional organisations and institutions on the protection of children from all forms of violence (2013)

Joint Statement round table of regional organisations and institutions on the protection of children from all forms of violence (2012)

Joint Statement round table of regional organisations and institutions on the protection of children from all forms of violence (2011)