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.
Protecting children from all forms of violence
Today, we are ready to take on a greater challenge. 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.
A widespread and often hidden reality, violence has long-term consequences for child victims. A UN Study in 2006 reveals the extent and the consequences of violence against children, which is too often inflicted by people children know and trust, and is seldom reported. Violence against children occurs in all social, cultural, religious and ethnic groups, and can take many forms, ranging from corporal punishment to psychological abuse, sexual exploitation or forced labor. Children experience violence in all settings, including where they should find protection and security, such as in the home, in schools, in care-giving and justice institutions, at work and in the community.
The findings show that sadly, violence against children is too often socially condoned or considered traditional cultural practice. Protecting children from all forms of violence will, therefore, require a multi-faceted approach and a long-term commitment that address changing behaviors and attitudes, while promoting recognition of the human dignity and inalienable rights of every child.
Moving from commitment to action
Because all religious traditions share a commitment to protecting the youngest, the children in their communities, and because religious leaders can influence and emphasize the importance of this commitment to the community, the World Day will initiate a global people-to-people movement to Stop Violence against Children.
Religious leaders are, by nature, expert communicators, opinion leaders and social mobilisers. They are particularly well positioned as respected role models to promote the rights of children and the need to adopt non-violent practices of discipline and education to parents, educators and the larger community.
Working together in partnership to stop violence against children
The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children offers religious leaders and members of their communities, including children and young people, an opportunity to reaffirm their faith’s values and teachings on the protection and best interest of children. Working together in partnership with other civil society and faith-based organizations will garner support and bring us closer together in a concerted effort to Stop Violence Against Children.
Learn about how you can become involved:
Read a message of support from the UN SRSG on Violence Against Chidren
Read the UN Study on Violence Against Children at http://www.unviolencestudy.org/