World Vision Lebanon to Highlight Violence Against Children

World Vision Lebanon and Save the Children Sweden have organised a joint initiative to raise awareness and study the recommendations and implications for Lebanon of the recently published UN study on violence against children.

In addition, more than 50 representatives of local and international non-governmental organisations, as well as Australian ambassador Lyndall Sachs will seek to raise awareness for the initiative.

The effort follows the recent conference in Cairo where the Arabic version of the UN study was launched.

Government officials, media, private sector representatives, and the two youth that represented Lebanon in the Cairo conference will also participate in this event that will take place on 26 July in Beirut.

World Vision has identified violence against children as one of the main problems that affect children in Lebanon.

"We consulted children and they expressed that they suffer too much when they are beaten by their parents, teachers or peers," said Patricio Cuevas-Parra, World Vision Lebanon's advocacy manager.

"World Vision always emphasises two core messages: violence is preventable and never justifiable, and everyone is responsible to stop violence against children."

World Vision will use this study as a platform to influence the public and to negotiate with representatives of government, parliament and civil society to ensure that the study's recommendations are taken into consideration in the national agenda.

"Violence is present in all social environments but centres on vulnerable groups such us children," said Mr Cuevas-Parra. "Lebanese children lack the minimum legal frameworks that protect them from violence. Our task is to contribute to policy change by developing a set of legal regulations to prevent and address violence against children."