I grew up on this area. So once I took on the accountability of UNICEF Regional Director a 12 months in the past, I did so with a deeper sense of goal – and made a dedication—that it will be greater than only a job.
A private vow rooted in my very own experiences as one of many kids I now advocate for. For me, this position is a promise. A promise to the thousands and thousands of kids throughout Africa who nonetheless endure violence each single day and whose rights will not be upheld.
Each act of violence takes away a childhood. It robs kids of their full potential and shakes the very basis of our communities.
But, we’re robust and much from powerless.
African management is rising to the event on this quickly altering world. Throughout the continent, we see governments, communities, and younger leaders and youngsters standing up and taking motion.
In November final 12 months, in the course of the historic First World Ministerial Convention on Ending Violence Towards Kids in Bogotá, 70% of African governments raised their dedication to a brand new stage, making bold pledges to raised shield kids from violence.
On April 23, I spoke at a high-level assembly on Violence in opposition to Kids the place we reaffirmed that actual change is feasible when baby safety is embedded on the highest ranges of political decision-making. The Particular Consultant of the Secretary-Basic on Violence in opposition to Kids, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid made it clear:
“A society that fails to guard its kids is a society that undermines its personal future. It is very important perceive the price of not appearing to forestall violence in opposition to kids.”
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The price is measured in lives, with kids left unprotected and futures disrupted. By 2050, over 900 million kids will dwell in Africa, making up 40% of the world’s kids. Their well-being and alternatives will strongly form the way forward for each the continent and the world.
With improvement funding reducing, there should be a shift towards nationally-owned, sustainably-financed, and efficient baby safety programs. And I’m seeing the momentum construct up.
As I listened to the members within the high-level occasion, I used to be heartened by their management and dedication. Ministers and senior officers from Benin, Chad, Kenya, Zambia, shared the decisive investments they’re making, backed by a robust dedication from the African Committee of Consultants on the Rights and Welfare of the Baby, civil society organizations, WHO and UNICEF.
Collectively we are able to construct on this momentum and guarantee Africa stands on the forefront of kids’s safety from violence—main by instance, driving change, and securing a greater future for each baby. We now have the examples, the methods, and the rising dedication in any respect ranges. Now’s the second to speed up.
Minister Véronique Tognifodé’s phrases resonated deeply with me: “In 2025, kids ought to dwell a life freed from violence.”
A 12 months in the past, I made a promise to kids—and right this moment I wish to flip it right into a name to motion for our continent. Now’s the time to push ahead. Now’s the time to make sure that our commitments change into a actuality in each nation, each metropolis, each group—with and for each baby, on this area.
