The Weekly Pulse
News From Organizations and Coalitions in Advocacy for Children and Young People Globally
Vol. 172: Y25 Gender Community SFOPS Request, PEPFAR, & UNICEF Event
March 4, 2024 CALL TO ACTION
The gender community focusing internationally is seeking support for their FY25 Gender Community SFOPS Request, summarized in a joint letter spearheaded by Futures Without Violence. Among the requests to Appropriators:
To read the letter, click here. Organizations are encouraged to endorse the letter by Wednesday, March 6th, by completing the form found here. QUICK SUMMARY The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), led by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, has initiated a $20 million program aimed at addressing HIV/AIDS among youth globally. This initiative focuses on innovation and youth leadership to improve HIV prevention, case finding, and treatment outcomes in PEPFAR-supported countries. Youth, particularly in Africa, face a significant HIV/AIDS threat, with adolescent girls and young women bearing a disproportionate burden of new infections. The initiative targets this demographic, seeking to empower them as agents of change in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Through increased involvement of youth-led organizations and initiatives, the initiative aims to promote collaboration and progress toward the goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The initiative's implementation depends on fund availability and congressional notification procedures. Nonetheless, it represents a step forward in the collective effort to combat HIV/AIDS and engage the next generation in addressing global health challenges. To read the press release, click here. Following the U.S. Senate Judiciary Hearing on online child safety, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (S. 1409) has undergone significant updates to incorporate a broader range of stakeholder voices. Led by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), the updated version of KOSA now boasts bipartisan support from 62 co-sponsors in the Senate, including Majority Leader Senator Schumer (D-NY), with backing from organizations like GLAAD and HRC. Key amendments to the bill include modifications to the "duty of care" provision, which holds companies accountable for preventing harm to children through their online platform's design features. Additionally, platforms will be mandated to implement safeguards for children's data protection, provide parents with safety tools, and restrict features that promote excessive social media usage. The revised KOSA aims to shield children from various online threats, including sexual exploitation and abuse, by prioritizing user safety as the default setting on platforms. Supporters, including parents and survivor groups, emphasize the importance of KOSA in creating a safer online environment for children. To read more from organizations and survivors, click here. The End Violence Investors Forum, launched by Ignite Philanthropy to enhance collaboration among donors addressing Violence Against Children (VAC), has concluded with the publication of its external evaluation. The evaluation explored achievements, challenges, and future directions, revealing successes such as increased investments in VAC and informed strategies, alongside challenges like passive membership and misalignment with donor expectations. Despite facing internal and external obstacles, the Forum fostered valuable relationships and knowledge exchange among donors, highlighting the ongoing need for initiatives supporting the VAC sector. Ignites new strategy of focusing on constructive disruption and purposeful inclusion, intends to challenge power dynamics and strengthen relationships within the VAC grant-making space. Co-design processes and strategic fundraising approaches have also emerged as crucial components for future initiatives, ensuring commitment, clarity, and distinct branding within the sector. To read the full external evaluation, click here. SPOTLIGHT
UNICEF, The Prevention Collaborative, and Equimundo collaborated on an event that launched evidence on how innovative parenting programs can reduce violence against children and women. The event convened leading experts and practitioners to address the pressing issue of family violence. Through a series of evidence briefs, the event underscored the importance for parenting programs to adopt a holistic approach, targeting both violence against children and women concurrently. Experts in child welfare and gender equality highlighted the potential of gender-sensitive parenting interventions. The event called for action, urging practitioners and policymakers to integrate violence prevention and gender equality into existing parenting initiatives. With a focus on community engagement, program adaptation, and rigorous evaluation, the event set an agenda for reshaping family dynamics towards equity and nonviolence. The evidence briefs outlined a practical roadmap for practitioners, emphasizing stakeholder buy-in and community consultation. By addressing shared risk factors rooted in gender inequality, the briefs emphasized the role of gender-transformative approaches in nurturing violence-free environments. The event marked a significant moment in the global movement to end violence against children and women, representing progress toward safer and more equitable family environments for future generations to come. To view the webinar launch event, click here. EVENTS
REPORTS, ARTICLES, & RESOURCES
For more information, visit the Children’s Policy and Funding Initiative website: www.childrensinitiative.net |
ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS
APRIL 2024
Vol. 177: ‘Our Rights. Our Future. The Europe We Want.’, Leonardo Garnier, ‘Weaving Collective Practice’ & National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Vol. 176: UNICEF Report, International Day of Play, Moms First & Digital Futures for Children. MARCH 2024 Vol. 175: International Women’s Day, Child Rights and Business in the Digital Environment, ‘Transforming Tomorrow’, & European Committee of Social Rights. Vol. 174: ‘Start Where You Are’, UN-IGME, Global SOL Task Force. Vol. 173: #InspireInclusion, 2KNOW Project, Strategy for the Rights of the Child, and Women, Business and the Law. Vol. 172: Y25 Gender Community SFOPS Request, PEPFAR, & UNICEF Event FEBRUARY 2024 Vol. 171: First Focus Podcast, International Basic Education Coalition, & World Thinking Day. Vol. 169: International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, & Safer Internet Day. Vol. 168: Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education, & Georgetown University event JANUARY 2024 Vol. 167: U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, International Day of Education, & Thrive Coalition Event Vol. 166: First Focus Legislative Scorecard, Lead Poisoning, & U.S. Department of Labor Award. Vol. 165: CPFI White House Joint Memorandum, READ Reauthorization Act, & First Focus Letter to the President Vol. 164: U.S. APCCA Government Strategy, Keeping Girls in School Act, & UN Children’s Rights Event. DECEMBER 2023 Vol. 163: Georgetown University Event, USAID’s Children in Adversity Office, & 2023 Global Refugee Forum Vol. 162: International Day of Persons with Disabilities, COP28, & Human Rights Watch Report Vol. 161: USAID Disability Policy, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, & Council on Foundations Report. NOVEMBER 2023 Vol. 160: World Children's Day, Climate Change and Life Course, & Ukrainian Children. Vol. 159: GCE-US Call to Action, World Children’s Day, & World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence Vol. 158: READ Reauthorization Act, PEPFAR & HFAC Markups OCTOBER 2023 Vol. 156: New U.S. House Speaker, House Committee Hearing & New Reports. Vol. 155: Whole Child Video, InterAction Forum, & Congressional Reception. Vol. 154: Israel-Hamas Conflict & International Day of the Girl Child Vol. 153: Congressional Legislation, PEPFAR, & Speaker of the House Removal Vol. 152: Children’s Budget Book 2023, UNICEF Children with Disabilities Report, & U.S. Government Shutdown SEPTEMBER 2023 Vol. 151: USAID Donor Statement, GEM Report, & UNGA Event. Vol. 150: #TakeItDown, Ready, Set, READ!, & House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing Vol. 149: PEPFAR, UNICEF Child Alert, & Foreign Policy Event Vol. 148: READ Act Reauthorization, US-Nepal Child Protection Compact, & UN Child Rights Mainstreaming AUGUST 2023 Vol. 147: Sanctions on Russia, Sudan, and Girls Not Brides Event Vol. 146: New USAID Indicator, International Youth Day, & Lancet Article. Vol. 145: READ Reauthorization Act, U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, and Youth Power 2 event. Vol. 144: USAID 2023 LGBTQI+ Inclusive Development Policy & Georgetown University event. Vol. 143: YPS Act Reintroduction, Senate Commerce Committee Hearing, & U.S. Helsinki Committee Hearing. JULY 2023 Vol. 142: Strengthening Efforts To End Violence Against Children Act (H.R. 4748), Child Labor Prevention Task Force, & U.S. Senate Appropriations Hearing. Vol. 141: FY 2024 Appropriations Bill, International Children with Disabilities Protection Act, & Georgetown Event. Vol. 140: USAID Climate Strategy, UNICEF report, & Sesame Street Ukraine Workshop. JUNE 2023 Vol. 139: M-mama emergency transportation system & House Appropriations Committee Republicans draft fiscal year 2024 SFOP Appropriations bill Vol. 138: DRI Report, USAID FY22 Localization Report, & U.S. Department of Labor event. Vol. 137: USAID Youth in Development Policy and Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Policy Sign-On Letter, UNICEF Report, & Children’s Week 2023. Vol. 136: United States-Jamaica Child Protection Compact, FTC order, & U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence MAY 2023 Vol. 135: U.S.-Australia Joint Statement, InterAction Farm Bill article, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing Vol. 134: HFAC Roundtable Discussion, ChildFund and World Vision Event, & GCE-US Spotlight Event. Vol. 133: Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation, House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing, and Decolonizing Education Financing. Vol. 132: Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 2023 International Summit on the Teaching Profession & Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools to Transform Education for All Children event. Vol. 131: USAID Budget Hearing & Cities Summit of the Americas. Vol. 130: USAID Budget Hearing & Cities Summit of the Americas. |