International Human Rights Day has been celebrated worldwide since 10 December 1950. On that day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is the first comprehensive act and human rights instrument.
The global campaign of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence within which the Child Rights Centre (CRC) conducted an action to raise public awareness aimed at the goal of zero tolerance for gender-based violence against girls, ends today as well.
On that occasion, the CRC pointed out that we should not deal with informal education only when incidents occur and when the media report on disturbing events of sexual violence against girls, but that it is necessary to regulate the area of informal education to ensure a safe, healthy and stimulating environment. The lack of appropriate standards and procedures in legal entities and organizations dealing with informal education, as well as the untimely reaction of the competent authorities has led to distrust in institutions and the creation of a climate in which it is safest to remain silent and not interfere.
According to the results of the research “Recognize Violence, Say No” , every third girl in Serbia, aged 15 to 18, reported to have experienced sexual violence, and less than 3% of girls addressed the competent institutions.
In order to ensure a safe and supportive environment for girls and every child in Serbia, it is necessary to establish a clear legislative framework in the field of informal education and connect different systems through a multisectoral approach, introduce standards and procedures in all economic entities schools, small schools, clubs, studios and other forms of informal work with children). In addition, it is essential to inform and educate those who work with children in informal education, as well as parents, but also the children themselves, especially girls.
The video #STANDBYME was created as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The video was made by the Child Rights Centre within the project “Protection of Girls from Violence in Informal Education”, which was financially supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
