UNICEF USA Applauds House Passage of H.Res.230
WASHINGTON, D.C., (March 3, 2020) – UNICEF USA applauds the House of Representatives decision to pass H.Res.230, a bipartisan resolution to end violence against children globally. Half of all children – up to 1 billion children globally – have experienced violence in the past year.
Written with input by the Taskforce to End Violence Against Children, which includes UNICEF USA, ChildFund International, Futures Without Violence, Save the Children, and World Vision, the resolution condemns all forms of violence against children and youth. It also supports the development of a unified U.S. government strategy for preventing, addressing, and ending violence against children globally by building on the INSPIRE framework, a set of seven evidence-based strategies developed by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, U.S. Government agencies and others.
UNICEF USA recognizes the leadership of Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) for sponsoring this measure and working across both the 115th Congress and current Congress to bring this bill to a vote. The resolution passed unanimously through the House Foreign Affairs Committee in October and has 62 additional bipartisan cosponsors.
Rep. McGovern stated on the House floor, “Mr. Speaker, even though we have made great strides in identifying and addressing much of the violence that affects children and young people around the world, the sad reality is that violence against children is still pandemic. Every five minutes a child dies of violence.” He also recognized UNICEF USA and the Taskforce for its efforts. He ended his remarks by stating, “This resolution announces to the world that we are aware, that we do care and more importantly, we want our health and aid agencies to take action.”
We now turn towards the Senate and call on Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID) and Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to take up S.Res.112, a companion resolution. Introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MN) and John Boozman (R-AR) last March, passage of S.Res.112 would demonstrate Congressional support for leadership and coordination across the U.S. government on the issue of violence against children.
Children should feel safe at home, in school and in their communities. But it is in these places that most violence against children happens – often at the hands of the people they see every day.
As a core part of UNICEF's thematic work, UNICEF respond to rights violations to protect vulnerable children, while strengthening systems and furthering social change to prevent future violence. From working to reintegrate child soldiers in their communities, to developing innovative programs like Safe and Friendly Cities and Safe Schools, UNICEF is committed to the protection of every child.
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About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact
Gabby Arias, UNICEF USA, 917.720.1306, garias@unicefusa.org