David Beckham to make speech at UN calling on world leaders to end violence against children
David Beckham will call on world leaders to end violence against children when he makes a speech at the United Nations next week.
Beckham, 40 – who is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador – has championed a letter signed by 18 child survivors of violence that calls on world leaders to end the widespread abuse of children.
The former England footballer revealed he was spurred into action after meeting a 16-year-old boy from Cambodia during a visit to the country earlier this year.
“When I visited Cambodia with UNICEF earlier this year, I spent time with children and young people who have experienced terrible violence and abuse often at the hands of the people who were supposed to protect them. Their stories were deeply distressing and as a father it is devastating to think that any child should have to suffer like this,” he said.
“After listening to these incredibly brave children and hearing about the abuse they have endured, I want to make sure that world leaders act to protect children from danger. Every child, especially the most vulnerable, should be safe. That’s why I am going to travel to the UN this September, to make sure that children’s voices are heard and that the world comes together to stop violence against children.”
Beckham's speech will come seven months after he launched 7: The David Beckham Unicef Fund which aims to help the world’s most vulnerable children over the next decade.
Speaking about the launch the father-of-four said: “In February, when I launched my new fund with UNICEF, I made a promise to speak out for the world’s most vulnerable children and to help shine a light on the issues affecting them. It is shocking that every five minutes a child dies as a result of violence.
“Children are being abused in their homes, schools and communities and this has to stop. I hope others will join me to call on world leaders to put children at the heart of the new goals and commit to ending violence against children.”
