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Messages of Support 2001-2009

Ms. Marta Santos Pais, appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children “I would like to congratulate the Women’s World Summit Foundation for their strong commitment to the prevention of child abuse and for their steady advocacy in favour of the protection of children from all forms of violence.” (2009)

Prof. Yanghee Lee, Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of the Child “On behalf of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, I would like to thank the Women’s World Summit Foundation for its dedication for the work of prevention of child abuse. [...] I believe in the importance of a proactive approach in stopping violence against children.” (2007)

Prof. Jean Zermatten, Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Director of the International Institute for the Rights of the Child IDE "[...] We have to recognize the work done by WWSF (Women's World Summit Foundation), an NGO we need to respect for its commitment for global prevention, for catalyzing innovative programs for prevention of child abuse thanks to its annual 4 Prize awards, and for making 19 November "The World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse". I take pleasure in encouraging everyone among us to support its activities." (2007)

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, "Child abuse is a global problem - one that has no respect for boundaries of geography, culture, or creed. Every year, tens of thousands of children are murdered and millions more are brutalized, often by the very people who should love them most, and on whom their survival depends. Too often, the suffering of these innocent victims goes unnoticed and unaddressed, hidden behind closed curtains and doors of secrecy, silence and shame. That is why this World Day for prevention of Child Abuse is so important. By raising awareness, we can help stop child abuse and neglect before they start." (2006)

Prof. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Independent Expert responsible for the UN SG's Study on Violence against Children, "The World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse reminds us of the importance of acting now to respond to children's plight. Preventing violence is the most effective way to protect children - a radical change is needed to ensure that this priority is fully recognized and translated into action. The different strengths of all those who work for and with children must be combined in order to ensure the sea change we all aim to promote." (2006)

"On November 2003, I will for the first time observe the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse [...]. Observance of the World Day is critical to ensuring that we address the problem of child abuse, but it also highlights the fact that violence against children is a global issue. I would like to congratulate the Women's World Summit Foundation for organizing today's Round Table and involving national NGO coalitions from around the world in the quest to eliminate child abuse. As you have recognized, no single organization can by itself provide the ongoing research and strategies required to create a culture of prevention. I encourage you to continue developing networks working to prevent child abuse, and look forward to future cooperation with you and your affiliates as the UN Study on Violence against Children progresses." (2003)

Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, "I support the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse - 19 November. Tragically thousands of children are abused daily, often by those closest to them. I endorse this campaign enthusiastically and hope that many more will offer their support and encouragement." (2005)

Prof. Jaap E. Doek, Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, "Prevention of Child Abuse is one of the major global challenges in the efforts to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I therefore fully support the important awareness raising and other activities of the Women's World Summit Foundation with a view to make prevention of child abuse a reality. Join us on November 19 and on every other day of the year for the prevention of child abuse." (2005)

"On behalf of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, I first like to use this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for the initiative of the Women's World Summit Foundation to mobilize the international and national NGOs and others in marking November 19 as the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse." (2004)

Samuel Kobia, General Secretary, World Council of Churches, "The World Council of Churches endorses the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse - 19 November as a means to help raise awareness about this serious problem and to mobilize churches and ecumenical organizations to work together with civil society to protect children from abuse." (2005)

Vernor Muñoz Villalobos, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, "… the contribution of the Women's World Summit Foundation WWSF must serve as an example and inspiration for all, not only because this Foundation has wisely conjugated the gender perspective with the necessities of our time, but also because its commitment goes beyond words. … Thank you very much for supporting the most important inhabitants of the planet." (2004)

Juan Miguel Petit, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, "I am honoured to address all the organizations, experts, professionals, educators and human rights activists gathered together to mark the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse. I commend the Women's World Summit Foundation for organizing this important event and for taking the initiative of creating an award for innovative prevention initiatives. Prevention is the key word in social policies, even more so when we talk of children. In my work as Special Rapporteur I encounter everyday evidence for this. Policies and programs addressing the problems falling within my mandate, namely trafficking of children and child sexual exploitation, cannot be effective if they do not tackle the root causes and contributing factors of the problems. This means a strong investment in prevention." (2004)

"I would like to thank you again for your tireless efforts to campaign against the sexual exploitation of children, both girls and boys, and to expose the usually hidden scourge of domestic child abuse... On this important day, I would like to invite you to consider how best we all, working as a team, can strengthen our efforts in this area, and to share your ideas with me. I wish you every success in your endeavours today and throughout the course of the coming year." (2002)

"It is largely thanks to the work of NGOs that the issue of child abuse is now on the international agenda […]. We must continue the fight in order to ensure that this concern results in concrete changes […]. On this day of commitment and reflection […]. I invite you to continue to provide me with information, which will enable me to carry out my mandate, and intervene […]" (2001)

Kofi A. Annan, United Nations Secretary General, " … would have liked to participate in this important event which will focus on the prevention of child abuse and the rights of the child. He welcomes your advocacy on behalf of the world's children […]" (2001)