World Vision launches Pan-African campaign to End Violence Against Children

“There is nothing worse for a child than to experience violence, exploitation and neglect at the hands of those supposed to be protecting them. Ironically, countless children go through this every year. Let us bring an end to the repeating cry of pain which echoes down for generations!”

These were the words of Kevin Jenkins, World Vision International’s CEO delivered to over 200 representatives from the African Union (AU), Civil Society, Faith institutions, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and children gathered at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia recently. The delegates had gathered to witness World Vision’s launch of the Pan African Campaign to end violence against children.

In the audience was a one Agnes Kabonesa, who suffered the consequence of early marriage. Despondency tore down her usually jolly face as she recounted her tale.

“I was married off by my mother at the age of 15 years in exchange for a cow, a bag of cassava and 50,000 Uganda Shillings (approximately 15USD),” Kabonesa, Uganda’s child delegate to the event, shared during the launch ceremony.

It’s for such experiences that World Vision, under this campaign, is committing to end all forms of violence against children. According to statistics from UNICEF, violence affects over one billion children annually.

“I have seen children whipped into line in some schools or slapped and whipped by parents and teachers because many believe this is a vital part of discipline. Violence is an unspoken part of our culture,” Jenkins said.

He underscored the need to inspire national champions, musicians and TV stars to speak up on behalf of children.

Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, noted that the campaign is timely as it comes at the heels of the SDGS and Agenda 2030. In particular, SDG 16.2 urges stakeholders to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children. The commissioner mooted for strong policies and programs to end violence against children.

 “Many African countries have undertaken legal reforms to end violence against children but the lack of public information and capacity building hinders implementation. Policies without robust interventions and programs are insufficient in addressing the matter of violence against children,” he observed.

Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, the Archbishop of Kenya and a formerly World Vision sponsored child, underscored the role of faith leaders and families in ending violence.

“It takes government through education to end ignorance; it takes families through awareness to say no to all forms of abuse,” Ole Sapit said.

He pledged to work with World Vision to end all forms of violence against children.

During the launch, children and leaders signed a pledge to end violence against children.