RC Anders Pedersen remarks at the closing press conference of the visit of Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid (SRSG-VAC) [As delivered]

Dear colleagues, 

Dear media representatives,  

Welcome to you all,

I’m very excited to be here with you this afternoon at this press conference and discussion panel, in the conclusion of the visit of Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (SRSG-VAC), which also coincides with the end of my mission as the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan. 

It is also symbolic that Dr. Najat would start her mission to Jordan on December 10, coinciding with Human Rights Day. The overarching message being, we are speaking about very fundamental human rights, when it comes to violence against children.  

As it is in so many countries around the globe- it is not a subject that gets enough attention as it should. All of us could testify that this is also the case in Jordan. We speak very much about gender-based violence and violence against women, but we do not speak at all as much against violence against children.  

That is something we have to change. Especially given that, in Jordan, more than 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30.  

To be here together with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, with the National Council for Family Affairs gives us an opportunity to put the subject at the core of the agenda as we go forward.  

When I saw the launched results yesterday of the National Study on Violence Against Children in Jordan, by UNICEF and the National Council for Family Affairs, I thought to myself, those are really shocking statistics. Those of us working on Jordan, with Jordan, and in support of Jordan, we have to take this seriously.  

I admit, I am a number-cruncher, and when you see these statistics, for example; Children from all governorates and different nationalities- at the (8-17) age category, 74.6 % have been subjected to at least one form of physical violence in their lives (of those included in the national sample)- that is itself, a figure that you have to internalize.  

It means, three out of four children have been subjected to violence. The majority have been subjected to violence. That's not only concerning, but it's unacceptable. Given what I know the Kingdom stands for, and what I know all of us would like to achieve.  

We see similar figures among refugees, and also among other populations, with 69.9 % among Syrian children in refugee camps and 55.2 % among children with disability.  

Jordan is a young country, with 60% under the age of 30, but 40% of its population under the age of 18 (which means more than 4 million of the country’s population are children). We're not speaking about a marginalized group, we are speaking about the people. That is an error that many of us make: when we speak about Youth in Jordan, we often are not speaking about them as the majority of the people of the Kingdom.  

Also speaking from a Human Rights point of view, and a basic moral point of view, we have to make absolutely sure that we end all kinds of violence against children.  

We have to secure and protect the children and to make sure they are not subjected to any harm. 

All violence against children is preventable. We can do something about it. It is not about financial resources, it is about our attitudes, and how we can take this on. It is simply about stopping, and that does not cost any money.   

Moving forward, many of you heard me speak, over the past five years, about the necessity to include young people in the decision-making of society.  

We have a huge untapped resource in the defacto marginalization that you often see with young people. It is what we see this globally with young people. 

Calling upon an example of a citizen of my own country, Greta Thunberg, who is at the forefront when it comes to fighting climate change and opening up our eyes and ears to the existential issue we have at hand. I am looking forward to seeing who the equivalent will be here in Jordan. Who they may be stepping forward, ensuring that we, as the adults of the community, enable and allow them this space to drive the Kingdom forward as they have to be.  

Within our own UN system, we have many ways to make a difference, as Najat and my colleague Tanya, UNICEF Representative for Jordan will most certainly speak to, and I think we do make a difference.  

I would also like to welcome and acknowledge all the efforts made by the Government of Jordan through the Council, and many other institutions, and within Civil Society in Jordan. You are driving it, but we have to redouble our efforts.  

One particular tool we have at our disposal, is that the Government has committed itself to prepare the Voluntary National Review (VNR) for presentation at the High-Level Political Forum in July 2022 and the Amman Voluntary Local Review (VLR) (first VLR in Arab region).  

This is not just another UN acronym, this could be a key opportunity for Jordan to make a differenc. As Data collected, and research and analysis conducted for the VNR/VLR will assist in assessing the status of implementation of human rights overall as the 2030 Agenda aims to realize human rights for all while “leaving no one behind”. It can therefore also be useful for preparing the Government report under the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review process in 2023 (due in March 2023 for November 2023 review). 

The VNR review process is a key opportunity to identify ways to accelerate the Sustainable Development Agenda and children’s rights while “building back better.’  

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is far from being over. We know very well that we will continue having to live with the impact of COVID.   

The virus has exacerbated all pre-existing vulnerabilities, in Jordan and in every other country around the globe. These impacts were particularly heavy for young people and women. This is another cause to be mindful of the centrality of supporting and protecting young people.  

The impact of COVID, the ongoing continuation of these impacts, and the simple fact that, they are the future of the Kingdom.  

Thank you.