Member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have collectively reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to eradicating all forms of violence against children, pledging to strengthen regional cooperation in line with the foundational principles of the SAARC Social Charter. This renewed resolve emerged from the first Online Ministerial Information Sharing Meeting, “Elevating the Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC) Agenda in South Asia,” hosted by the SAARC Secretariat in Nepal.
The pivotal meeting, held in collaboration with key international partners including UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA), WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO) and Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, underscored the urgent need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to child protection across the region.
In a resounding statement, SAARC Secretary General Md Golam Sarwar emphasized the shared determination of all member states to safeguard the rights and well-being of children. He highlighted the critical importance of bolstering coordination among governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners to ensure comprehensive and effective child protection mechanisms are in place.
With millions of children globally subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse each year, the call for immediate and synchronized action resonates deeply within the South Asian context. The SAARC Social Charter, a guiding document for regional collaboration, explicitly mandates the forum’s dedication to strengthening cooperation among its member states to address social challenges, including child welfare.
SAARC’s existing regional instruments, such as the Conventions on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare in South Asia (2002) and the Convention Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution (2002), serve as crucial legal frameworks underpinning these efforts. These conventions underscore the region’s long-standing recognition of the vulnerability of children and the necessity for cross-border collaboration to combat crimes like human trafficking, which disproportionately affect women and children.
The meeting saw active participation from officials and representatives of all SAARC member states. Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, delivered the opening remarks, further emphasizing the global imperative to end violence against children and supporting regional initiatives.
The South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC), an apex body of SAARC, has been actively working since 2012 to operationalize child protection systems at regional and national levels. SAIEVAC, in collaboration with the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) and other partners, aims to ensure that all children in South Asia are free from violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and discrimination, addressing issues such as child marriage, child labor, sexual abuse, and corporal punishment.
As South Asia is home to over 700 million children and a significant portion of the world’s poor, the region faces unique challenges in child protection, exacerbated by factors like natural disasters and conflicts. The renewed commitment from SAARC nations, bolstered by international partnerships and existing legal frameworks, signals a concerted effort to create a safer and more nurturing environment for every child in the region.
