If governments at the Bogota Global Ministerial Conference in November want to end violence against children, they must make bold commitments to support children’s participation in the decisions that affect their lives.
Every year one billion children are victims of cruel acts of violence. That’s one in two children on the planet. Children have a right to live in a world free from violence. We must step up efforts to end violence in childhood and to strengthen and invest in children’s participation if we are to achieve the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the Global Goals). A vision of world of peace, justice, and inclusion, where girls and boys are able to live free from violence.
On 7-8 November, the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children will take place in Colombia. And it has the potential to change the course of those one billion childhoods.
Important decisions will be taken at the Global Ministerial Conference which impact children and their rights now, and long into the future. Joining Forces is supporting the campaign to get ministers from around the world show up and make big, bold and brave commitments to keep every child safe. The power to end violence against children is in their hands.
Children’s participation supports their right to protection
Governments worldwide have committed to ending violence against children by ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), reinforced by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the Global Goals). However, progress has been uneven and insufficient. Worsening global conflicts, negative consequences of migration, and the misuse of technology are rapidly exacerbating the challenges children around the world face when it comes to hunger, poverty, ill-health, gender bias, and exploitation. Violence against children is on the rise and traditional responses are not having the impact needed.
Failing to prevent and respond effectively to violence against children has lifelong consequences, perpetuating a cycle of violence and hindering social and economic development. With only six years remaining to achieve the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, there is an urgent need to strengthen and invest in children’s participation.
Children consistently tell us – and show us – that they want to participate and take action on issues that concern them. Across the globe, children are contributing to the resilience of their communities, advancing their own protection, driving social progress, inspiring political change and proposing innovative solutions. Children’s participation is a right, but also a catalyst for the realisation of other rights such as their survival, protection and right to thrive. Strengthening children’s voices can help claim these rights.
Our call to action on children’s participation in decision-making
Joining Forces, an alliance of six international NGOs working with and for children, is making an urgent call to action for deeper financial investments and political will to ensure children’s systematic participation in decision-making processes. We demand greater financial investments, political will and accountability by governments and the wider international community for children’s systematic participation in decision-making processes. Children must have a seat at the table.
Specifically, Joining Forces is calling on governments to:
- – Strengthen legal and policy frameworks guaranteeing children’s right to be heard as well as their civil and political rights, as enshrined in the UNCRC
- – Establish and institutionalise structures and mechanisms for equitable and inclusive child participation
- – Invest in child participation mechanisms, across sectors and at all levels of government
- – Strengthen children’s capacity, confidence and knowledge to participate in decision making
- – Support the capacity and willingness of adults to facilitate and enable children’s meaningful and ethical participation
It’s time to amplify children’s voices and empower them to participate in decisions affecting their future, especially when their safety and lives are at stake.
Learn more about the importance of child participation in our policy brief ‘A Seat at the Table’ or find out how to call on your government to step up on ending violence against children worldwide.