Children's declarations

PARTNERS IN CHANGE STATEMENT BY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Regional Consultation for the UN Study against Violence against Children 17th – 18th May 2005, Islamabad, Pakistan

Who we are

We are children from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka who have made this statement. We are 13 girls and 12 boys who have discussed issues of violence against children, which takes place in our countries and in the region. In the last two days we have shared our experiences, concerns and achievements in taking action against violence. We looked at gaps and made recommendations. Our discussions focused on three types of violence: physical and psychological punishment, gender based violence and child sexual abuse. We then prepared our own initiatives and actions to address these issues.

Where and how children face violence

Physical and psychological violence, gender based violence and sexual abuse happen in different degrees in all countries in the region. Violence not only has physical consequences, but also psychological/emotional consequences, which might even affect children more severely. Adults seldom listen to children when they talk about abuse. Some forms of violence are considered taboo. For example if children try to talk about child sexual abuse, adults are afraid that the community will know about it and they might be discriminated against. When children tell their family that they have been sexually abused the family may feel dishonoured and it may even lead to honour killing. If children are abused in school or at home they do not talk to their friends because they feel ashamed about it. Some adults also abuse children for their own pleasure.

In other cases adults think that punishment is good for children and do not see it as abuse. Since many adults themselves were beaten or psychologically punished as children they may believe it is necessary for adults to punish children for the children’s own good. Also, parents may not know different ways of bringing up children. In many countries parents think it is their duty to get girls married at a young age. Young brides may be tortured and harassed by their husband’s family for not understanding family matters. We also discussed many other forms of gender-based violence. When children suffer violence, they sometimes learn to fight violence with violence. This is how cycles of violence are continued.

We also discussed the causes of violence

Sometimes cultural, traditional and/or religious practices can be harmful for children. At times poverty can cause neglect and violence since parents do not have enough money to fulfil their needs or educate their children. Patterns of violence are also reproduced from one generation to another, making a cycle. Adults like teachers, may lack knowledge of children’s rights or the affect of physical and psychological punishment. Discrimination and unequal power relations in society also makes violence against children worse. Some countries do not have laws on violence against children, or their laws may not be enough to protect children. Often children are not aware of how to get legal help. There are not enough counselling and psycho-social services to rehabilitate children who have been abused.

We would like to share some actions taken by children

We can keep a watch. For example, in some countries in the region, National Task Forces of Children have been formed. These monitor situations related to violence against children within the country and report to governments and NGOs about it.

We can help. Girls have developed centres to help other girls who are facing problems such as abuse or threat of forced and early marriage.

We are a part of awareness raising.

· Street Plays are used for making the community aware of abuse by teachers and parents and its negative impact.
· Radio shows, monthly newspapers and movies made by children for children.
· Child-to-Child forums are creating awareness of child rights.
· Children are involved in making visual arts and creating posters.
· Children make monthly bulletins that are displayed in their clubs and in public places.
· Children have made documentaries on child abuse that have been broadcast on satellite channels.

We recommend

· Adults should listen to children’s suggestions on how to address violence against children and activate them
· Governments make the laws concerning children in line with the CRC and make sure that they are strictly implemented
· Create and have special task forces all over the country to end violence
· Create and hold regular consultations with the parents’ as well as children’s committees and community leaders
· Create child-related laws and stop violence against children
· Involve parents, teachers, NGOs and children in programs to address violence against children. Community should pressurise government administration to stop violence.
· Government should also use the existing government and NGO bodies for stopping violence against children
· Raise parents’ awareness of the CRC by establishing a parents association in the community so that they can raise their voices on violence against girls/boys
· Parents should be more connected with their children – listen to them and see things from their point of view
· Media should not use names, pictures and addresses of children who have been abused
· Produce more child friendly information and materials on violence against girls and boys and its prevention
· Children who are a part of children’s clubs, task forces, child parliaments and child media groups should be trained on violence against children so that they can train more children to end violence
· Children need to be informed of the responsibilities that come along with rights so that they also do not abuse other children

End physical and psychological/emotional punishment and promote love and affection for children

· Governments should create national laws against physical and psychological punishment and make systems to implement and properly monitor these
· Teachers should behave lovingly and affectionately towards children
· Governments should ensure that laws are widely known by everybody
· Teachers should be given proper teacher’s training and training on positive discipline and parents on parental education
· There should be mechanisms in school and out of school where children can complain about severe punishment

End gender based violence

· Parents should know about children’s rights and treat girls and boys equally
· The government should make laws for violence against girls specifically and implement them strictly throughout the country
· Governments should raise awareness frequently and regularly on violence against girls- through media, such as radio, papers, television, posters, notices and school curriculum throughout the country

End child sexual abuse

· Try to implement the laws of the CRC relating to sexual abuse for children and abusers
· Counselling and other support should be accessible in the community for the children
· Forming Child Task Forces which will work on preventing child sexual abuse
· Include prevention of child sexual abuse education in the curriculum – provide safety education from a young age

We urge you to activate these recommendations and others made by children in previous consultations and try to involve us when designing actions on violence against girls and boys in each country and the region.

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