PRESS RELEASE
November 18, 2023
New York, NY – Arigatou International – Prayer And Action For Children, a global NGO whose mission is “All for Children,” invites everyone to join us in commemorating once again the“World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence” this November 18, 2023.
A year ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that notes that the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 7 places the dignity of children and their right to live free from violence as a priority on the international development agenda. It calls for ending exploitation, abuse, trafficking, torture and all forms of violence against children, as well as eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation, which place children at risk of experiencing child sexual exploitation, abuse and violence,…. girls are at a greater risk of experiencing these violations, including both online and offline, in particular during armed conflicts….. because of the shame, stigma and fear associated with their experiences, many victims and survivors never disclose and/or seek justice, rehabilitation or support, and that many victims and survivors of child abuse experience lifelong consequences that affect their physical and mental health and well-being.” (U.N. 2022, par. 3, 4)
This resolution follows the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), another resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 20, 1989. The anniversary observes the international celebration of Universal Children’s Day, which promotes international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide.
For three decades, Arigatou International (A.I.) has worked to protect the well-being of children worldwide by advocating for and promoting the 1989 resolution and creating and engaging the A.I.’s Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC). A.I. closely works with UNICEF and other child-focused organizations and has supported interfaith projects in more than 70 countries, aligning with more than 34,406 religious leaders and child-rights advocates. It offers tools such as Ending Violence Against Children’s Lab (EVAC-LAB) and the digital 2019 Faith and Children’s Rights: A Multi-Religious Study on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which both apply an interfaith approach as guided by the principles and standards of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) to safeguard children against violence and Sexual Abuse.
Arigatou International proudly states, “We are committed to promoting the resolution’s aims throughout our yearly work and every November 18. Both dates will continue serving us as a reminder of how vulnerable children are and the role we can play in working directly or on behalf of children to protect their rights and well-being.”
The Campaign supports global and local efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and provides guidance to parents and caregivers, while also focusing on preventing violence against children. We know that children today are among the most vulnerable groups to be negatively affected by the pandemic. Many children and their families are in lock-down in their homes, and around 90% of the world’s school children are not attending school at present. According to numerous recent reports, violence against women and children is increasing as an indirect effect of the pandemic.
References:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/child-sexual-exploitation-prevention-and-healing-day
https://www.un.org/preventing-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse/
https://www.un.org/en/pdfs/UN%20Victim%20Assistance%20Protocol_English_Final.pdf
Resolution that recognizes the “World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse
and Violence” – 18 November:
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/684/98/PDF/N2268498.pdf?OpenElement
For more information and to schedule an interview with one of our many experts regarding this subject, please contact Arigatou International – Prayer and Action NY Office, Ms. Alibe Hamacher, Chief Partnership and Development Officer – Liaison to the United Nations, at the email above.
Ms. Alibe V. Hamacher
Arigatou International – Prayer and Action for Children
E-mail: a.hamacher@arigatouinternational.org