West Africa Regional Youth Forum Against Violence
More than 80 children from countries in West Africa (Benin, Togo, Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Ivory Coast and Niger) gathered for the Regional Youth Forum Against Violence in Accra, Ghana from August 31 to September 3 2010.
At the forum, children shared experiences and spoke to government and UN officials, including Marta Santos Pais, the UN Secretary General's Special Representative on Violence Against Children. Children talked about violence in schools, including school corporal punishment, saying that severe school violence is widespread and can lead to children dropping out of school. Only 21 of the 54 countries in Africa have laws against corporal punishment in schools.
The children put forward recommendations for action, including for more and harsher punishments for people who commit violence. Marta Santos Pais said that her office would make the necessary partnerships to ensure that children's issues are promoted throughout Africa. The forum was reported on by national and international media.
The forum was a part of the VAC Project, co-ordinated by Plan International and Save the Children in West Africa.
Search our site
Please enter a search term to begin your search.