In honor of World AIDS Day and the annual “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence,” UNAIDS and Together for Girls joined forces to hold an event called “Ending the Dual Epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Gender-Based Violence.” GBV and HIV/AIDS are each serious threats to children, but combined, GBV and HIV/AIDS disproportionately and brutally hurt women and girls. UNICEF is a major player around the world helping communities prevent GBV, and helping women and girls receive the assistance they need to survive violence and AIDS.

According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 10% of world’s children are disabled. These children are often targets of exclusion, stigmatization, neglect, violence and abuse. UNESCO estimates that in developing countries, up to 90% of these children do not attend school. UNICEF strongly supports the ratification of the world’s newest human rights treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). We need your help to make sure the Senate approves the CRPD before the end of the year, and we urge you to add your voice!