DRC: UN Officials Raise Alarm at the Dramatic Impact of Prolonged Conflict on Women and Children, Including Increased Risk of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence on Displaced People GalleryDRC: UN Officials Raise Alarm at the Dramatic Impact of Prolonged Conflict on Women and Children, Including Increased Risk of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence on Displaced People
DRC: UN Officials Raise Alarm at the Dramatic Impact of Prolonged Conflict on Women and Children, Including Increased Risk of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence on Displaced People
[Le français suit] Press Statement: For Immediate Release New York/Geneva, 23 April 2025 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director (Management), Mr. Andrew Saberton, and the Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees for Protection, Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, raise the alarm over the devastating impact [...]
Burkina Faso: Children Bear the Brunt of the Intensification of the Armed Conflict, Despite Efforts by the Transitional Government
First Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso Children in Burkina Faso experienced high levels of violence and grave violations perpetrated by all parties to conflict, a new report, the first one of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso, shows. The report covering the period between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2024, highlights that 2,483 grave violations against 2,255 children [...]
Myanmar: Sharp Increase in Grave Violations Against Children
The escalation of the conflict and deterioration of the security situation in Myanmar, especially since the military seized power in February 2021, has had a devastating impact on children and their protection. A report covering the period from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2023 shows an over 400% increase in grave violations against children compared to the previous report. Grave violations against children significantly increased due to the [...]
Displaced, starved, killed, robbed of a childhood: children in Sudan are paying the highest price of two years of brutal conflict
Joint press release by the UN Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and on Violence against Children The international community must act urgently to avoid sacrificing a whole generation of Sudanese children in a brutal man-made conflict, called on Monday the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and on Violence against Children. “What we have seen this weekend in and around the [...]
Silent Weapons, Loud Consequences for Children – International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
Children are amongst the most vulnerable to explosive weapons including mines which hit indiscriminately. As we mark the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict calls on all parties to conflict to restrict the use of mines, and to support all efforts to end the threat of explosive ordnance. From Sudan to Ukraine, Syria, to the [...]
South Sudan: UN Official Calls on All Parties to Protect Children, as Dire Situation in Country Increases Risks of Grave Violations
Children in South Sudan are facing increased risks of violence and violations of their fundamental rights as the recent escalation of violence in the country threatens the important gains made since the signature of the Revitalized Peace Agreement in 2018. The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, calls on all parties to continue to respect their commitments for children as part of their [...]
Escalation of Violence in Gaza Takes a Heavy Toll on Children: Return to Ceasefire and Negotiations Must Prime for the Sake of Children
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, deplores the end of the ceasefire in Gaza and the Israeli military escalation and calls on the parties to urgently re-establish a ceasefire and negotiations. Since the horrific Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror attacks against Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023, which included the killing, maiming, and abduction of children, the subsequent massive military escalation [...]
Statement by Ms. Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict on the release of child recruits in Myanmar GalleryStatement by Ms. Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict on the release of child recruits in Myanmar
Statement by Ms. Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict on the release of child recruits in Myanmar
The release of 93 individuals recruited as children by the Myanmar Armed Forces is a noteworthy step towards the full implementation of the 2012 joint action plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children signed between the Myanmar Armed Forces and the United Nations Country Task Force for Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR). It must now be accompanied by the adoption of protection measures under the joint [...]
Presentation of the Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to the Human Rights Council
[Please check against delivery] Statement by Ms. Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council Mister/Madam President, Excellencies, Dear Colleagues, It is an honour to return to the Human Rights Council to present my annual report covering 2024. As we reflect on this year's 25th anniversary of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of [...]
Children Have Rights, Children Want Peace. It’s Time To “Prove It Matters”
Launch of A New Campaign to Protect Children in Conflict by United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, is launching ‘Prove It Matters’, a new global campaign calling for the urgent need to uphold the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and ensure that children’s voices are heard. The campaign urges [...]