UNICEF Regional Director Ms Anupama Rao Singh on first visit to China addresses opening session of first ever National Consultation on Violence Against Children.
UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Director Ms Anupama Rao Singh spoke at today's opening of China's first ever National Consultation on Violence against Children. The consultation, jointly organized by UNICEF and the All China Women's Federation, was also addressed by Ms Gu Xiulian, President of the ACWF and Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, the Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (IPSCAN) also spoke at this morning's launch at Beijing's Jianguo Garden Hotel. The keynote statement was delivered by Professor Paolo Pinheiro, the Independent Expert appointed by the UN Secretary-General to prepare a global in-depth study on Violence against Children.
Madame Gu opened the event by speaking of the ACWF's pro-active leadership which had led to 22 provinces and cities developing rules and regulations for the prevention of family violence, thereby affording greater protection for children. Conceding that beating was traditionally perceived in a positive light by Chinese families, she appealed to the mass media present to make further advocacy efforts to combat violence against children. "Any form of violence against children was unacceptable", she said, "and it was the responsibility of society at large to protect children from violence". Explaining how the ACWF and UNICEF were working together to complete a study on child violence, Madame Gu closed by wishing every success to this first ever national consultation on violence against children. UNICEF Regional Director Ms Anupama Rao Singh congratulated China on being one of only a very few countries in the East Asia and Pacific Region to undertake such a national consultation, recalling also that China had been one of the first countries in the region to respond to the questionnaire sent out to countries by the UN Secretary-General's office.
Ms Anupama Rao Singh went on to say that "Violence against children is avoidable and stems from choices made by individuals, families, communities and governments. Everyone therefore has a responsibility to help end this violence and help build a protective environment for children".
Professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro spoke in his capacity as the Independent Expert appointed by the UN Secretary-General to prepare a global in-depth study of violence against children. In his keynote statement he explained how consultations were being held all over the world at national, sub-regional and regional levels in order to provide forums where experts could discuss "the serious and troubling issue of violence against children". Professor Pinhierio expressed his gratitude to the All China Women's Federation and to UNICEF "for promoting this pioneering national gathering ijn China", expressing his thanks to the Soong Ching Ling Foundation, IPSCAN, Plan International and Save the Children UK for their contributions to the consultation. Explaining how the main results and recommendations from the consultation would be fed into the East Asia and Pacific Regional Consultation to be held in Bangkok from 14-16 June, Professor Pinhiero praised China's leadership in organizing the consultation which he saw as "a shining example for other governments and regions".
The independent Expert went on to explain how the UN Study on Violence Against Children was designed to break down the walls of silence as well as come up with recommendations for addressing the problem "Breaking the silence does not mean merely compiling shocking stories, but requires efforts to understand the root causes of violence, the factors that allow it to occur so frequently and—most importantly—to come up with effective ways to prevent and respond to violence against children".
Professor Pinhiero emphasized his concern for prevention strategies, in particular through the identification of good practices, "including those designed b y children". A child-friendly version of the Study's final report was going to be produced, with his main report itself being submitted by the UN Secretary-general to the General Assembly, detailing both findings and recommendations. Pinheiro closed by praising "the involvement of China in promoting open discussion on the delicate topic of violence against children". He remained confident that " China's engagement with the issue would contribute substantially to the development of concrete and successful response to violence. Thereby helping to assure a safe and proper development of children in the whole world."
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