End Violence Against Children

Every day, out of the spotlight, children are subjected to appalling cruelty and abuse. It happens all over the globe, in every setting—public and private, urban and rural, industrialized and developing, rich and poor. UNICEF Pacific believes that every child deserves to be safe and works throughout the world to protect girls and boys from abuse and exploitation. #ENDviolence is UNICEF's new multi-year global initiative to generate momentum in preventing and responding to violence against children.

Voices Against Violence

With 1 in 3 women and girls experiencing abuse in their lifetime, violence against women and girls is the most wide-spread human rights violation. Gender-based violence starts early, and girls and young women are particularly vulnerable. Over 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16 years.  Globally, one in three girls are married before the age of 18, and one in nine before they turn 15.

Read November's youth feature in Mailife Magazine where two girl leaders, Makelesi (14) and Shaifa (14) talk about putting girls into leadership positions to stop the cycle of poverty and violence. They want to see being a girl as strength, not a disadvantage. 

This article was written by UNICEF Youth Mediactivists Makelesi and Shaifa and the photos are from the Girl Guides of Fiji Photo Exhibition for the International Day of the Girl.

Gender Based Violence

UNICEF Pacific is a champion for ensuring gender equality end equity in the organisations operations and programming. Watch videos produced by young people showing the situations, challenges and opportunities facing children and youth in the pacific.