Edith Bardel

Congratulations to H.E. @SahleWorkZewde, former President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia & AWLN Elder, on receiving the 2026 Forbes Woman Africa Lifetime Achievement Award! A distinguished leader whose legacy of diplomacy, peacebuilding, and women’s empowerment continues to inspire across Africa and beyond. A truly well-deserved honor. #ForbesWomanAfrica #WomenInLeadership #AWLN

📢 CSW70_2026 The @AU_CIEFFA is hosting 2 events on the sidelines of the 70th Session of the #CSW on March 11, 2026, at the Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN in NY. These events are convened with @FAWEAfrica, #IWPG, and @unwomenafrica See details on the flyer👇🏾👇🏾

Two-thirds (66%) of 30,000 children polled globally said that cyberbullying is increasing - & #AI is a key driver of harm, Najat Maalla M'jid, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children (@UN_EndViolence) told the @UN Human Rights Council. #HRC61

SRSG on Violence Against Children Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid met with European Commissioner @RoxanaMinzatu to discuss strengthening protection for every child in Europe. The EU Child Guarantee, together with the European Social Guarantee, plays a key role in ensuring the protection and well-being of all children across the EU. Strengthening integrated social and child protection services as well as cross sectoral budgeting has a high return on investment. #EndViolence #EU

The military operations in Iran & across the region are devastating & present a serious threat to children. Civilians, schools & hospitals must not be attacked. Every child has the right to live free from fear. — @childreninwar & @UN_EndViolence violenceagainstchildren.un.org/en/news/joint-…

Joint Statement by @childreninwar, and @UN_EndViolence, on the escalating military operations in Iran and the region. The rapidly escalating military operations in Iran and the region are devastating and present a serious threat to children. We are deeply alarmed by attacks on civilians, including civilian infrastructures, schools, and hospitals. Schools and hospitals must not be attacked. We join the call of the Secretary-General for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Maximum restraint is imperative, and full compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law must be ensured at all times by all parties. Children always pay the highest price in wars they did not choose. Every child in the region - and around the world - has the right to live free from fear, with their protection and rights upheld as a primary consideration.

Please join the global poll on cyberbullying targeting children & youth led by @SRSGVAC here: forms.office.com/pages/response…

UNICEF Angola met with the Secretary of State for Family & Women’s Promotion to strengthen the global alliance to end violence against children. Key takeaways from Finland & Iceland: Barnahus model, specialized police response, shelters, cybercrime & teen‑pregnancy prevention.

The 🇬🇲#FundingCompact Dialogue marks a turning point for #Gambia's development journey. Strong partnerships + quality financing = accelerated #SDGs. The UN, Government & Development Partners are committed to a NEW way forward-predictable, aligned, & results-driven partnerships.

Successive cyclones in Madagascar are putting children at growing risk, disrupting access to safe water, healthcare & schools. UNICEF with Government & partners, is reaching affected families. More support is urgently needed to scale lifesaving assistance. uni.cf/4qKgyeK

We warmly welcome Greece as the 50th country to join the #PathfindingGlobalAlliance on Ending Violence Against Children. #Greece is now part of a growing global movement committed to prioritizing investment in child protection and ensuring every child grows up safe, supported, and free from violence. #EndViolence #ChildProtection #ChildRights

The U.N. human rights office publicly defended Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese after at least four European governments attacked her and called for her resignation over comments she never made. Marta Hurtado, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said Albanese “did not characterize any state as an enemy of humanity. I invite you all to go see her remarks.” Hurtado added the office is “very worried” about escalating “personal attacks, threats and misinformation” targeting U.N. officials and independent experts, warning such campaigns distract from “serious human rights issues.” She then pointed to ongoing Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza, the daily killing of Palestinians, and Israel’s failure to meet its obligations as an occupying power in the West Bank while undermining a two-state solution: “This is what we should be talking about.” @FranceskAlbs | @UNHumanRights

A landmark MoU between Nigeria and Türkiye marks an important step forward for partnership and cooperation within #PathfindingGlobalAlliance, strengthening social development, family welfare, and child protection in both countries. @hm_womenaffairs @engelliveyasli @MahinurOzdemir

Warm congratulations to Zambia on its continued leadership to end violence against children (VAC) through an integrated approach! Dr. Najat Malla M'jid, SRSG on VAC, met with Angela Chomba Kawandami, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (@MCDSS_ZAMBIA), and her team, who shared Zambia’s strong progress and sustained commitment to addressing all forms of VAC through strengthened social protection and women’s economic empowerment. Key achievements highlighted include: 📉Progress in reducing child marriage, supported by a national strategy 🍽️School feeding programmes improving attendance, reducing drop-out, and boosting literacy 🛡️Adoption of the Child Online Protection Strategy, strengthening safety in digital environments 👩🏽‍⚕️Investment in the social service workforce, following the Investment Case We thank #Zambia, a #PathfindingCountry, for its partnership, leadership, and dedication to protecting children and advancing their rights. #EndViolence @ZambiaMissionUN

Female genital mutilation violates the universal human rights to life, health, and bodily integrity and causes lasting harm to over 230 million women and girls worldwide. It is rooted in the same gender bias that restricts girls’ access to education, narrows women’s opportunities for employment, and limits their participation in public life. On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, let us renew our promise to protect the rights of women and girls everywhere and ensure that they can live free from violence and fear. Together, we can end this injustice once and for all. #EndFGM #ZeroTolerance #Invest2EndFGM #ForEveryChild @UNFPA

Dear Children, Thank you for your activism and engagement in our shared work to end violence against children! This year, I connected with over 4,000 children worldwide - I am always inspired by you, as you are the experts of your own lives. Your voices are not 'too small' to be heard, and your dreams are not 'too big' to be realized. Happy 2026! Read more: violenceagainstchildren.un.org/en/news/thank-…

In #TheGambia, High-level commitment at the Presidential Level and wide multistakeholder mobilization, including government, parliamentarians, UN, CSOs, communities, children, youth, and religious leaders, to ensure sustainable investment in child protection and wellbeing, and to promote protective social norms. Together, we can act better and faster to #EndVAC. @UNICEFGambia @UNGambia @Presidency_GMB

Thank you, SRSG @UN_EndViolence, for 6⃣ impactful days in The #Gambia! From engagements with senior govt. officials to community dialogues, your visit reenergized our commitment to protect all children especially the most vulnerable. We must continue to do more #ForEveryChild.

Today, H.E @BarrowPresident welcomed SRSG @UN_EndViolence alongside the Minister of @MoWcsw. Discussions focused on strengthening protections for every Gambian child, leaving no vulnerable child behind. We will work to ensure #EveryChild, everywhere is safe and protected. 🇺🇳🇬🇲

Aujourd’hui, j’ai reçu à Libreville une délégation du Système des Nations Unies conduite par Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, accompagnée de plusieurs responsables du SNU et de la ministre Élodie Diane Fouefoue épse Sandjoh. Nous avons échangé sur les priorités nationales en matière de protection de l’enfance : prévention des violences, accompagnement psychosocial, accès aux services essentiels et amélioration des dispositifs de prise en charge. J’ai réaffirmé l’engagement du Gabon à respecter ses obligations internationales, notamment au sein de l’Alliance des pays pionniers. La jeunesse demeure au cœur de ma vision pour le pays. Avec l’appui des Nations Unies, nous renforcerons nos mécanismes nationaux et la coordination des ministères afin d’offrir à chaque enfant un cadre sûr, protecteur et porteur d’opportunités.