Najat Ma’la Majid, the UN Secretary-General’s special representative on violence against children, said in a report published on Thursday that violence against children has reached unprecedented levels.
He said, “Millions of children around the world are victims of physical, sexual and emotional violence online and offline. “These include child labour, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), sex-based violence, trafficking, bullying, cyberbullying and many other forms.”
Many children also live in vulnerable situations due to “multidimensional poverty,” the report said.
Half of the world’s children, an estimated one billion children, are said to be at very high risk of being affected by the climate crisis.
One in six children worldwide lives in a conflict-affected area.
Special Representative Najat Mala Majid said, “This is a very important milestone. “Violence against children has reached unprecedented levels, fueled by multiple, interconnected factors.”
No country and no child remains untouched
Children’s vulnerability to violence is a global problem that transcends geographic and socio-economic boundaries.
The Special Representative said, “The problem is that no country is untouchable, no child is untouchable. “In many countries, we are seeing many forms of violence.”
According to the report, nearly 40 crore children under the age of five face regular emotional abuse and physical punishment at home.
The United Nations Children’s Fund – UNICEF, on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, released some statistics that show that about 37 million girls and women alive today have experienced either rape or sexual assault before the age of 18. This number is one in every 8 people.
According to UNICEF, in the case of non-contact sexual violence, such as online or verbal abuse, the number of girls and women affected reaches 650 million.
Online exploitation
Najat Mala Majid expressed deep concern and warned against sexual exploitation of children through online media. “Given the growing number of children connected to the Internet and the growing number of online abusers and exploiters, the problem is huge.”
Cyberbullying has also emerged as a serious problem with 15 percent of children worldwide reported to be victims.
Child Labour: A Form of Violence
The report found that around 16 crore children are still involved in child labour, a form of violence against children.
The Special Representative said that children should be in school for education, they should not be made to work.
“Many children who are victims of child labor are also victims of various forms of human trafficking and sexual exploitation,” she said, noting the interrelated forms of violence.
Long-term effects
The report highlights the dire consequences of violence against children.
“This has long-term effects on children’s mental health,” the report said. “We’re seeing increases in suicide, behavioral disorders, eating disorders, drug addiction, depression and other health problems.”
Violence has a negative impact on children’s education, performance and learning, the Special Representative said.
