This brief by Marta Santos Pais, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, explores the need for nurturing and violence-free early childhood, the extent of violence against children around the world, the economic costs of violence in early childhood, and strategies to end violence in early childhood.
"A world free from fear and from violence, where no one is left behind, is the inspiring, ambitious vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (United Nations, 2015). Agenda 2030 gives important impetus to realising the right of every child to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment through two specific targets: ending all forms of violence against children (Target 16.2); and ensuring all children have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education (Target 4.2). Ending violence and bringing positive change to children’s lives must start in early childhood (Santos Pais, 2018)."
