Global efforts to protect children from violence are failing to keep pace with growing risks, including conflict, natural disasters, climate change, food insecurity and the rapid spread of technology, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children has warned.
“Almost 45 million children are displaced because of conflict, but also because of natural disasters, because of the climate crisis,” Najat Maalla M’jid told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday.
M’jid made the remarks after presenting her final report to the UN General Assembly, describing it as a wake-up call for stronger international action.
Her briefing coincided with the 20th anniversary of the first UN global study on violence against children, which established that violence occurs in every country and across all settings.
Children Face Multiple Crises
One in five children lives in extreme poverty, including in wealthy countries, M’jid said.
Rising prices, food insecurity and setbacks in human rights are adding to the challenges facing children and their families.
The rapid spread of technology, including artificial intelligence, also presents growing risks. While offering new opportunities, these technologies can facilitate child sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, the creation of deepfakes and the recruitment of children into criminal activities, she warned.
M’jid recalled that the 2006 global study established two fundamental principles: violence against children is preventable and can never be justified. These principles were subsequently reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Protection Efforts Fall Short
Over the past two decades, countries have introduced legal and policy reforms to address violence against children. However, implementing those measures and ensuring access to services for children and their caregivers remain major challenges, M’jid said.
She stressed the need for sustained political commitment backed by dedicated budgets and accessible child protection and welfare services.
She also highlighted progress in involving children and young people in decision-making and strengthening integrated services across regions.
However, such efforts have not been expanded quickly or widely enough to address the scale of the risks.
“Our solutions are always lagging behind the risks,” she said, calling for faster and more comprehensive action.
Children Must Be Part of the Solution
M’jid said effective international cooperation remains essential to ending violence against children and ensuring their protection and well-being.
She announced that 55 countries had joined the Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children, with more expected to join.
Launched in 2024, the state-led platform helps countries turn political commitments into concrete action through peer learning, stronger cooperation and the sharing of effective practices.
M’jid concluded by emphasising that children and young people must be recognised as active participants in efforts to end violence against them.
“Children are not waiting,” she said. “Children are already taking action.”