Fear of sexual violence causes many children - particularly girls - to drop out of school

10 March 2010: Plan Geneva is participating at the 13th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva between 8-12 March 2010, to combat sexual violence against children. 

Annual day of the rights of the Child

The Annual day of the rights of the Child on 10 March will be focusing on sexual violence. Plan is calling for stronger national legislation and effective law enforcement to combat the scourge and high incidence of such violence across the world.

Read the concept panel paper for more information about the agenda and which speakers are taking part. 

Eliana Restrepo, Deputy Director of Plan’s office in Colombia will be one of the main speakers on the official panel.

Read Plan’s written statement to the HRC based on information from Plan’s global Learn Without Fear campaign to end violence in schools.

Side event

On 11 March, Plan Geneva is organising and leading an important side event on sexual violence at homes and in schools. The event is co-sponsored by the Norwegian Ministry of foreign affairs and several non-governmental organisations.

The side event will cover issues including:

• the reality of sexual violence against boys and girls within the home and in school
• good practices for the protection of children and for the consolidation of child protection systems
• the importance of participation, especially youth involvement, as a protection tool against sexual violence.

Ms. Marta Santos Pais, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, Anastasie Koudoh from Plan's regional office in West Africa and Abigail, a 17-year-old girl from Plan Ghana, will be among the speakers at the side event. 

During the week, Plan will be delivering several joint oral statements at the Human Rights Council, including one written by youth from West Africa.

Find out more about Plan's global work on child protection.