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.

UN Joint Presence (UNJP) Office in Kiribati observes the UN DAY on 24 October, 2013

by Nuzhat Shahzadi,Chief of UNICEF Field Office & the UN Joint Presence, Kiribati

It was not just any day. 24 October witnessed a very different atmosphere at the United Nations Joint Presence office in the Pacific country of Kiribati. Charged with excitement, festivity, decorations, balloons and the sound of footsteps of children, UN agencies and partners who are friends of the children and the UN, welcomed UN Day.

 

United Nations Joint Presence office in Kiribati has a new look!

The Story of Maria of Temwaiku Village, Kiribati

by Nuzhat Shahzadi, Chief of UNICEF Field Office & UN Joint Presence, Kiribati

The ocean is too close  

Maria* is 13 and lives in Temwaiku village, Tarawa Island, in the Pacific country of Kiribati. She attends the Junior Secondary School and likes learning new things. The afternoons are hot and as the breeze from the ocean breaks the stillness in the air she usually comes out of the tiny Buia which she shares with her family. She walks around on the road with her friend Maki*- they giggle and share stories of the day in school, the happenings in the village…There are no playgrounds in Temwaiku. In most places the island is too narrow and all available land is needed for houses, schools, churches, cemetery, stores, clinics, etc.