Ensuring the rights and wellbeing of children born of sexual violence in conflict: call to action
This call to action, for global organisations to endorse, outlines principles to ensure rights and wellbeing of children born of sexual violence on conflict.
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On 22 November 2021 the UK launched the call to action to ensure the rights and wellbeing of children born of sexual violence in conflict. Minister Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict called on the international community to step up and protect the rights and improve the lives of these children.
Thousands of children born of sexual violence in conflict miss out on education, healthcare, and opportunities to be children due to the circumstances of their birth. In some countries, they cannot be registered at birth, preventing them accessing these services. Many feel alone and unwanted by their families or society.
The call to action has been endorsed by:
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Norway
- Republic of South Sudan
- Mexico
- Guatemala
- Republic of Kosovo
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Canada
- Republic of Croatia
- Federal Republic of Nigeria
- New Zealand
- UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
- UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
- UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
- Global Survivors Fund
- The Children Born of War Project
It is a 1-page declaration, outlining the main principles to ensure the rights and wellbeing of children born of sexual violence on conflict. By endorsing the call to action, global partners, including governments and international organisations, commit to working together to support these children.
Collaboration since the launch has supported the development of the ‘platform for action’. This outlines the practical steps to implement the principles of the call to action and provides a framework for commitments. The Platform for action promoting rights and wellbeing of children born of conflict-related sexual violence was launched at the International Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Conference in November 2022.
For further information about the call to action, contact PSVI@fcdo.gov.uk.
Last updated 14 July 2023 + show all updates
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Twelve more signatories added to the call to action.
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Updated signatories to include: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Canada, Croatia, Nigeria, New Zealand, Global Survivors Fund, The Children Born of War Project
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UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children added as endorsing the call to action
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Added endorsement from Republic of Kosovo.
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Added endorsements from Guatemala and the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
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First published.