Asean children delegates speak out on violence against children
KUALA LUMPUR: Children delegates from Asean and South Korea shared their views and recommendations on violence against children at a roundtable hosted by the Philippines in the capital city of Manila, from June 6-8 as part of Asean’s 50th anniversary commemorative activities.
According to an Asean statement, the issues of child abuse and neglect, exploitation, harmful traditional practices and bullying figured prominently during the children’s discussions at the 7th High-Level CrossRegional Roundtable on Violence Against Children.
Deputy Secretary-General for Asean Socio-Cultural Community, Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, said it was imperative that children are protected and for them to have dialogue with each other on the issue.
“In a similar vein, we cannot forget those at the fringes: the children with disabilities, children living in at-risk and remote areas, children without any nationality, and children experiencing multiple vulnerabilities brought about by their physical, social and political conditions,” he said.
Themed “Placing Children at the Heart of the Sustainable Development Agenda: Accelerating Progress in Children’s Protection from Violence”, the roundtable attended by regional intergovernmental organisations from around the world, shared progress and good practices on eliminating all forms of violence against children.
The discussion was led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence Against Children (SRSG on VAC), Asean Secretariat, and the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The participation of regional organisations around the world in this event reflects Asean’s commitment to engage with international and global partners to promote positive change in the region and resonates with the Philippines’ Asean Chairmanship theme of “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World”, the statement said. — Bernama