Dear colleagues,
I wanted to share an important update and acknowledge a key collective milestone.
The final report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, Mama Fatima Singhateh, has now been submitted to the Human Rights Council.
It is encouraging to see that our collective advocacy since October 2024, particularly through the Signature Campaign and Blue Umbrella Day, appears to have influenced the report's framing. The report includes a dedicated section on 'invisible victims', explicitly recognising the systematic invisibility of boys as victims of sexual violence due to harmful gender norms and masculinity expectations.
Importantly, the report also references advocacy to recognise 16 April as Blue Umbrella Day and, in its final recommendations, calls for international solidarity to recognise this date as an international day for the protection of boys from sexual violence. This is a significant step forward!
The report further highlights the need for gender-inclusive child protection systems, prevention-oriented and trauma-informed responses, and survivor-centred participation, all of which strongly align with Family for Every Child's Member Alliance's practice and advocacy.
My sincere thanks to everyone who took action to support the Blue Umbrella Day Campaign by signing our petition and promoting it locally and on social media. Your participation and support have been essential in making it possible!
