Stop Violence Against Children
While the world has seen a growing number of children survive over the past decades, every year millions of children around the world become victims of untold violence. Many suffer in silence. This is our next challenge, to end the silence, to Stop Violence against Children.
Announcing New Three-Year Theme:
Stop Violence Against Children
Improving the lives of children around the world
The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children campaign to improve the lives of children around the world is gaining momentum. In 2010, the World Day was celebrated in 46 countries around the world, with events ranging from a workshop on peaceful living for youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to a poetry and art competition in Nepal, to a candlelight vigil with Covenant House in Times Square, New York City.
Saving and improving the lives of children is at the core of the World Day’s two-fold mission. We call on people of all religions and goodwill to join in the PRAYER and ACTION on Universal Children’s Day, celebrated each year on 20 November, which is also the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Over 36,000 people took part in the World Day's global initiative in 2010, which focused on The Reduction of Child Mortality, with emphasis on exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life.
Message from Marta Santos Pais
United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children
The protection of children from all forms of violence is a fundamental right, which the international community has solemnly pledged to safeguard for all children, everywhere and at all times. Unfortunately, violence remains a harsh reality for millions of children around the world. Available research leads us to believe that up to 1.5 billion children worldwide endure some form of violence every year.