Background

Any kind of violence against an individual under the age of eighteen, regardless of the perpetrator—parents, other caregivers, classmates, or strangers—is classified as violence against children (VAC). In addition to neglect and witnessing violence, it can involve physical, sexual, and mental abuse. Many times, a single child experiences several forms of violence. Bullying in new forms, such as cyberbullying, is become more prevalent. The international community adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 to track progress in several areas, including a number of targets (4a, 5.2, 16.1 and 16.2) aimed at ending VAC. However, despite a significant increase in the availability of data on the topic in recent years, at half-way through the 15-year SDG plan, most countries still lack baseline and trend data on the prevalence of VAC by which to monitor its response to prevention efforts and changes in the underlying causes and risk factors. Notwithstanding the substantive efforts made by UNICEF, UNODC, the US CDC, WHO and others to build capacity in data collection and management at the country level, we are still unable to monitor global, regional, and national progress on the VAC-related SDG indicators, or to assess the level of investment needed to meet these targets^1,2. The need for reliable, valid, nationally representative, and internationally comparable estimates is therefore pressing.

In response, WHO plans to produce national, regional, and global estimates for physical, sexual and emotional violence, and bullying (at a minimum), and possibly also for neglect, witnessing violence, and multiple types.

Functions of the TAG on Violence against Children Prevalence Estimation

As an advisory group to WHO, the TAG will carry out the following duties:

1. To offer prompt, evidence-based guidance and impartial assessment of the scientific, technical, and tactical elements concerning techniques for measuring and estimating violence against children;
2. Take part in the process of developing new methods, offering suggestions for operational definitions, adding important variables, adjusting and weighting techniques, and addressing other methodological issues as they come up;
3. To suggest research agenda objectives for addressing measuring problems of violence against children, especially those necessary for global monitoring;
4. To offer recommendations about connections with relevant advisory groups, such as those addressing measurement and estimating in connection with other matters;
5. In order to improve national statistics systems on violence against children surveys, it is important to provide advice on “joined-up” techniques and encourage links to more comprehensive initiatives. This includes making sure that survey design, measurement, data collection, analysis, and reporting processes are in line with worldwide best practices.
6. to provide guidance on tactics for the efficient use and distribution of the estimates of violence against children and associated materials.

The TAG on Violence Against Children’s Operations Estimating Prevalence

During a roughly 15-month span, the TAG is planned to meet virtually up to four times.TAG members are expected to actively participate in all activities, including online meetings and email correspondence. Prior to TAG meetings, members will be expected to examine the meeting documentation. English will be the TAG’s working language.

Submitting your interest expression

To register your interest in being considered for the TAG on Violence against Children Prevalence Estimation, please submit the following documents by 14 June 2024, 23h59 Central European Time (UTC + 2 hours) to vacestimates@who.int using the subject line “Expression of interest for the TAG on Violence against Children Prevalence Estimation”.

• A cover letter indicating your motivation to apply and how your expertise meets the criteria above. Please note that, if selected, membership will be in a personal capacity. Therefore, do not use the letterhead or other identification of your employer/institution);
• Your curriculum vitae;
• One example of a work product or report in the relevant area; and
• A signed and completed Declaration of Interests (DOI) form for WHO Experts, available at https://www.who.int/about/ethics/declarations-of-interest

After submission, your expression of interest will be reviewed by WHO. Due to an expected high volume of interest, only selected individuals will be informed.

Join our whatsapp group: join now