High-ranking personalities and survivors campaign in New York to end violence against children

The meeting, led by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and Project Everyone, brought together heads of state and government and representatives from countries including Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland, Brazil and the United Kingdom.

The event provided a platform for survivors to share their harrowing stories and for leaders to renew their commitment to support the global campaign to end violence against children. The high-level meeting came shortly after the publication of an open letter from survivors, advocates and supporters. This letter, also signed by celebrities such as Forest Whitaker, Shudu Musida and Will Poulter, calls on world leaders to take concrete action to end violence against children, particularly in view of the upcoming global ministerial conference in Colombia in November.

“These shocking statistics are just the tip of the iceberg. Each number represents a child whose life has been irrevocably marked by violence. “It is our duty to act here and now,” said Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, in his speech.

According to the World Health Organization, more than a billion children worldwide experience violence in various forms each year, including corporal punishment, bullying at school, sexual violence and online threats. Other forms of violence include gang violence, child marriage and exploitative child labour. Studies show that preventive measures, such as supporting parents, school interventions, expanding child-friendly social and health services, enacting protective laws and ensuring a safe internet, can lead to a reduction in violence against children by up to 50 percent.

Will Poulter, actor and Diana Awards ambassador, who moderated the event, underlined the urgency of action: “Every child who experiences violence carries these wounds with them for life. It is our shared responsibility to break these dangerous cycles and enable a safe and violence-free future for every species.”

The meeting sends a strong message to the international community: violence against children is not an individual problem, but a global challenge that must be tackled together. Those present are calling on governments around the world to follow up not just words, but actions – for the millions of children who urgently need protection and support.