Edith Bardel

Behind every statistic is a human story. These stories are a powerful reminder that conflict-related sexual violence is not inevitable, it is preventable. Survivors deserve more than recognition of their suffering; they deserve protection, support, justice, and accountability. The international community must match their courage with action.

Les voix des filles comptent. Et lorsqu’elles s’expriment, elles inspirent le changement. Merci à #EudoxieBridges et aux participantes pour ce moment d’échange, d’ambition et d’espoir.Ensemble,continuons à créer un environnement où chaque fille peut réaliser son potentiel.

For millions of people forced to flee war, conflict and persecution, protection can mean the difference between life and death. Amid growing global challenges, the right to seek safety matters more than ever. Saturday is #WorldRefugeeDay. unhcr.org/until-everyone… via @Refugees

The African Law Seminar is live from 22–26 June at 2:00 PM UTC daily! 🌍⚖️ ​Key issues on ending violence against women and girls & promoting the Law of the Sea from an African perspective. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

As we kick off, we launch the Peacebuilding Impact Spotlight Report and the documentary “Never Again: In Practice,” a significant milestone in The Gambia’s ongoing peacebuilding journey. Our commitment to partnership, accountability, and sustaining peace remains unwavering.

138 million children are in child labour. This is a global emergency that demands urgent, sustained action. On World Day Against Child Labour, let’s raise the Red Card and accelerate action to #EndChildLabour. Learn more: bit.ly/WDACL-12June

À Turin, au Sommet des 52 pays pionniers engagés contre les violences faites aux enfants, j’ai réaffirmé l’engagement de la Côte d’Ivoire à renforcer la protection de l’enfant, notamment par la prise en charge familiale.

We warmly welcome #SaoTomeAndPrincipe as the 53rd country to join the #PathfindingGlobalAlliance on Ending Violence Against Children during the Global Meeting in Turin, Italy. Together, We Can Act Better and Faster to End Violence Against Children! Learn more about the Alliance: violenceagainstchildren.un.org/en/pathfinding… #EndViolence #ChildProtection #ChildRights

The Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children, counting now with 54 Member States, with the adherence today of Sao Tome and Italy, met in Turin on 4-5 June. This global meeting was built on the momentum generated since the Alliance’s official launch in November 2024, as well as on a year of rich regional and national consultations across different regions. During the meeting that brought together 151 participants, including high-level government representatives, civil society, faith-based organizations, the United Nations, children, and other partners, the marketplace for knowledge-sharing was launched. Over two days, this gathering provided a trusted space to showcase actions, deepen peer learning, and peer exchange. The collaboration among Member States and partners was further strengthened through nearly 80 bilateral and multilateral engagements. Together, we are turning commitments into action to end violence against children. Learn more about the Pathfinding Global Alliance: violenceagainstchildren.un.org/en/pathfinding… #PathfindingGlobalAlliance

Ethiopia Appoints Lemlem Fiseha as Ambassador to African Union 🔗 Read the full story: thereporterethiopia.com/51007/

On this #AfricaDay, we return to the words of those who started it all. When the founding fathers gathered in Addis Ababa on May 25, 1963, they did not come with guarantees. They came with conviction. They carried the weight of a continent still emerging from colonialism and the belief that Africa's future had to be built by Africans together. 63 years on, their message remains as urgent and as powerful as ever Africa’s strength lies in its unity. #Agenda2063 Read and download the speeches here: oau60.au.int/en

Déclaration sur l'épidémie d'Ebola en R.D. Congo Depuis des décennies, je soigne des patients dans l'est de la République démocratique du Congo, au cœur de conflits qui ont détruit les systèmes de santé mêmes, dont la population dépend pour survivre. Aujourd'hui, une souche rare d'Ebola - contre laquelle il n'existe ni vaccin ni traitement - se propage à travers la province de l'Ituri - déjà dévastée par des groupes armés, des déplacements de population et une saturation des services de santé - ainsi que dans les régions voisines. Je salue la rapidité avec laquelle l'Organisation Mondiale de la Santé ( @WHO ) a déclaré cette situation une “Urgence de Santé Publique de Portée Internationale”. Toutefois, la communauté internationale doit agir avec la même urgence : en déployant des ressources, en protégeant les travailleurs de la santé et en apportant son soutien aux populations de l'est du Congo et de l'Ouganda, qui se trouvent en première ligne de cette crise. À cette fin, nous exhortons toutes les parties impliquées - y compris les forces d'occupation - à rouvrir l'Aéroport International de Goma, sans plus attendre afin de faciliter la réponse humanitaire et l'acheminement de l'aide. Le monde ne peut détourner le regard sous prétexte que cette crise se déroule dans une zone de conflits que nombreux ont déjà oublié. Cette épidémie nous rappelle de manière saisissante que, lorsque les systèmes de santé sont détruits par la guerre et privés de financements, la propagation des maladies devient inévitable. Tous les arguments en faveur de la finalisation de l'Accord sur les pandémies, de l'investissement dans la surveillance épidémiologique, de l'accélération de la recherche sur les vaccins et traitements d'urgence, ainsi que de la protection des travailleurs de la santé en zones de conflit - tous ces principes sont mis à l'épreuve en ce moment même, en temps réel, au sein des communautés que je connais et que je sers. Aucun d'entre nous ne sera en sécurité tant que nous ne le serons pas tous. Les travailleurs de la santé qui se trouvent en première ligne ne doivent pas affronter cette épreuve seuls. @UN @_AfricanUnion @Presidence_RDC @Europarl_EN @UKParliament @AssembleeNat @AsstSecStateAF @StateDept @UKParliament

SRSG VAC Dr. Maalla M’jid highly welcomes the #ZamoraDeclaration, reaffirming 22 Ibero-American States’ commitment to end violence against children through stronger protection, prevention, mental health, safe digital spaces, and violence-free schools. Investing in child protection and well-being brings high returns. The inclusion of the #PathfindingGlobalAlliance is a major step to accelerate collective action. Thanks, Government of Spain and Ministry of Children and Youth, for hosting. @JuventudInfGob _____________ es: La Representante Especial del Secretario General para la Violencia contra los Niños, Dra. Maalla M’jid, acoge con gran satisfacción la Declaración de Zamora, que reafirma el compromiso de 22 Estados iberoamericanos de poner fin a la violencia contra los niños y niñas mediante una mayor protección, prevención, atención a la salud mental, espacios digitales seguros y escuelas libres de violencia. Invertir en la protección y el bienestar de los niños reporta grandes beneficios. La inclusión de la Alianza Mundial de Países Pioneros contra la Violencia contra la Niñez, supone un paso importante para acelerar la acción colectiva. Gracias al Gobierno de España y al Ministerio de la Infancia y la Juventud por acoger esta importante reunión ministerial. _____________ pt: A Representante Especial do Secretário-Geral para a Violência contra as Crianças, Dra. Maalla M’jid, acolhe com grande satisfação a Declaração de Zamora, reafirmando o compromisso de 22 Estados ibero-americanos de pôr fim à violência contra as crianças através de uma proteção reforçada, da prevenção, da saúde mental, de espaços digitais seguros e de escolas livres de violência. Investir na proteção e no bem-estar das crianças traz grandes benefícios. A inclusão da Aliança Global Pioneira constitui um passo importante para acelerar a ação coletiva. Agradecemos ao Governo de Espanha e ao Ministério da Infância e da Juventude pela organização desta reunião ministerial.

#ChildDigitalSafety @UNICEF_ECA @UN_EndViolence @UNICEFProtects @tcailesosyal

Children are not just victims of cyberbullying. They are part of the solution. Around the world, children are raising awareness, helping improve laws, designing safer technologies, and creating peer-to-peer tools. One child suggested changing the word "Report" on social media platforms to "I have a problem with this post" - and as a result, more children started reporting cyberbullying. On #GirlsInICT Day, we empower girls who are already shaping that future - using technology and their voices to make the digital world safer for everyone. Read our child-friendly report on Ending Cyberbullying Together here: violenceagainstchildren.un.org/en/media/1009 #EndCyberbullying #ProtectChildrenOnline #HRC61 #GirlsInICT #AIforDevelopment

The thematic Report📚on Harmful Practices affecting Children can be downloaded here🌐🌐🔗🔗acerwc.africa/en/resources/p… #ChildRights in #Africa

IN PICTURES: Consultation with #RECs on Violence Against Children in Preparation for the 2nd Ministerial Conference on VAC #ACERWC47 #AfricaFit4Children

In a fragmented world, children pay the highest price; only through united multilateral action can we truly protect all children and secure their well-being everywhere. #PathfindingGlobalAlliance #ADF20206 #AntalyaDiplomacyForum #Meet4Diplomacy @AntalyaDF

AI is profoundly reshaping cyberbullying, increasing and accelerating its complexity. Read our annual report to the Human Rights Council here: violenceagainstchildren.un.org/en/our-work/an… #EndCyberbullying #ProtectChildrenOnline #HRC61