World Vision Solomon Islands launches ‘It takes a world campaign’ with fun and games for the children.

World Vision Solomon Islands organised an afternoon filled with fun and games for children of staff members at its office in Honiara to mark the launch of the 'It takes a world to end violence against children' campaign.

The campaign followed the in-country official launch of the 'Unseen, Unsafe' report on Wednesday at the Heritage Park hotel in Honiara, which brings much needed attention to the high prevalence of child abuse in Solomon Islands and across the Pacific and the under investment in child protection by donors. The report was launched by the newly formed Coalition to End Violence against Children, formed by World Vision Solomon Islands, Plan International, Child Fund and Save the Children Solomon Islands.

On behalf of the coalition, World Vision hosted a family fun afternoon where staff members, and a few partners, brought their children to play and learn together through games and activities under the caring supervision of their parents.

World Vision Solomon Islands Country Director, Migena Shulla, shared her delight with the special guests of the afternoon, “We are so happy that we can have this time together with our friends, colleagues and in particular our children as we participate today in launching this important , said Mrs Shulla.

“We as an organisation are working together.  We all want our children to be happy, we all want them to feel loved and respected. Because of that, we have created this opportunity today so we can show our love to you by spending time and having fun together,” she added. Mrs Shulla further expressed her appreciation by mentioning a continuation of such activities in the near future. “We hope to be able to set up more of these events as we proceed to move forward with the campaign in the country,” she said.  

The children enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with water balloons, mat and ball games and even some creative face painting. All 75 children in attendance participated in a hand washing exercise. The afternoon wound down with light refreshments, as well as tired but happy parents and children.

Violence knows no boundaries

Globally, six out of every ten children between the ages of two and 14 suffer from physical punishment on a regular basis, and an estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked annually. Across the Pacific, four million children experience violent discipline, with approximately 72% of children under 15 years of age in the Solomon Islands experiencing violent discipline at home.

It takes a world campaign

World Vision’s global campaign, It takes a world to end violence against children, aims to catalyse a global movement of people committed to keeping children safe from harm. Our campaign specifically seeks to do this by igniting movements to catalyse changes in attitudes, raise awareness and drive courageous and effective action. World Vision’s existing programmes are focused on strengthening prevention, response and restorative measures that address violence against boys and girls. In order to end violence against children, World Vision also believes that it will take greater investment, long-term, targeted funding and greater accountability for any existing commitments and efforts to end violence. Through 'It takes a world' and its ongoing efforts, World Vision is committed to driving this campaign to encourage all stakeholders including individual community members, the church community and the government to fully realise their roles in ending violence against children.