Theophane Nikyema
23 October 2006
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Kampala — EVERY October 24, the world joins together to commemorate the United Nations day. The UN Charter was drawn up by representatives of countries at the UN Conference on International Organisation, which met at San Francisco from April 25 - June26, 1945.
The Charter was signed on June 26, 1945. The UN officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, when the Charter was ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the UK, the US and a majority of others.
The UN day is used as one of the fora to highlight, raise public awareness and mobilise requisite action towards daunting problems in the world and in the communities. In Uganda, the UN agencies selected the theme, "Stop Violence against the Children of Uganda" for this year's celebrations.
In 2002, through a resolution of the UN General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General commissioned a study on violence against children.
In the Ugandan media we read about children being abducted for ritual sacrifices, we have seen worrying reports of defilement, child abductions and recruitment into armed conflicts; child-labour, etc. This is not to mention critical issues that afflict children and hindering them from enjoying their fundamental rights; the right to good health, security, education, shelter, clothing, etc. Other than media reports, studies done in Uganda have also indicated gross violence against children. It is clear from the Secretary General's report and from our own situation in Uganda that:
Violence against children is widespread, under-acknowledged and extremely damaging to children. Violence threatens the survival, well-being and future prospects of children lThe world has not paid enough attention to the scale and impact of violence against children.
Violence perpetuates poverty, illiteracy and early mortality. Widespread violence in a society, such as abuse and exploitation, robs a society of its potential for development. Violence against children impedes progress toward the Millennium Development Goals.
The best way to deal with violence against children is to stop it before it happens. Working through coordinated national strategies to prevent and respond to violence against children, governments can build a protective environment that allows children to live without the threat of abuse and exploitation.
Violence drives children, especially girls, away from school. Sexual harassment, bullying and violence by other students or by teachers occur throughout the world. Schools must be a safe place for children - and they can be.
Violence exacerbates the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Children can make a valuable contribution to helping understand violence and how it affects them. We need to listen and learn from children, and involve them in finding solutions.
Inflicting violence on a child teaches that child that violent behaviour is acceptable, and can perpetuate the cycle of violence. By preventing violence today, we help build a future where violence will no longer be tolerated.
This, therefore, calls for concerted effort by all key stakeholders: the international community, government, parents and guardians, schools, and the community to pay particular attention to the well-being of children and make violence against children history.
As the Secretary General's study observes, "No violence against children is justifiable; all violence against children is preventable". We must stop violence against children.
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