Violence against children, once a "taboo" issue in China, now draws wide attention from Chinese domestic society and the international community. More importantly, the two sides have joined hands to combat the issue and monitor, identify and protect children who are at risk.  

A national consultation on violence against children, co-sponsored by the country's All China Women's Federation (ACWF) and the United Nations International and Emergency Children's Fund (UNICEF), was launched Monday in Beijing, which is regarded as a very important step forward to promote follow-up to the commendations and further amplify the range of initiatives that are taken to stop and prevent all forms of violence against children.

"The gathering of government, nongovernmental entities and children offers a great opportunity not only to bring the perspective and experiences to the study, but also to show a way for building and consolidating networks to address the issue," said Paulo Pinherio, an independent expert appointed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

China is one of the first countries to respond to the UN secretary-general's questionnaire after conducting a national-level meeting with various government agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), aiming at providing an opportunity to raise awareness globally and in the region of an issue that has for too long remained hidden or denied. China also has completed an initial study on violence against children, which is not about highlighting what a problem violence against children is, but finding effective solutions to this problem.

The Chinese government always attaches great importance to the children's protection and regards the work as a top priority to its established cooperation with international organizations, said Gu Xiulian, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress at the consultation meeting. China is trying to establish a national education network on violence against children, enhance law enforcement capability and public awareness and offer valuable advice for policy-makers to adopt effective measures, said Gu, who is also ACWF's president. For China, an important and diverse country, to reflect and develop concrete responses to face the various types of violence against children is a productive step hopefully not only for the Chinese people, but for the entire Asian region, and the rest of the world, she said.

"Violence does not discriminate between rich and poor nations and pervades the societies within which children grow up. Sadly, it is part of the economic, cultural and societal norms that makeup many children's environment," said Anupama Rao Singh, the regional director of UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office. When asked to comment on the role China plays in the world efforts, Singh said that China's leadership is crucial to this process, which could lead to the development of a framework for further studies and strategies for future interventions. "I understand that there is now a China special ambassador who will work to protect children from violence; let me give due recognition and the warmest of welcomes to perhaps the most important partner in this movement," Singh added.

Violence against children is a global issue and one of the most serious problems affecting children today. According to the World Health Organization estimation, about 40 million children worldwide below the age of 15 suffer from abuse and neglect, and require health and social care.

"China has led the way with a model National Consultation, and we also look to China to show a way for building and consolidating networks that will sustain this focus until we see a change in the lives of children," Pinherio said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2005)