Breaking: UNited Nations Recognise Family for Every Child’s Leadership in Addressing Sexual Violence Against Boys in time for Blue Umbrella day 2026

A new statement from the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, shines a spotlight on the urgent and often overlooked issue of sexual violence against boys.

In her remarks, she highlights the barriers boys face in reporting abuse and accessing support, and recognises the important work of Family for Every Child in bringing this issue to global attention.

This high-level acknowledgement is a major milestone for our global advocacy efforts. It validates years of work by our members to break the silence, challenge stigma, and push for inclusive child protection systems. This recognition signals growing international momentum to address the issue impactfully. 

Through continued advocacy, evidence-building, and community engagement, Blue Umbrella Day is driving lasting change at both local and global levels. With increasing recognition from international leaders, the campaign is helping ensure that boys are no longer invisible in efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence. Join the campaign. Break the silence, protect boys, strengthen families.

April 16th is Blue umbrella day, the International day to protect boys from sexual violence. Join Us.

One in six boys experience sexual violence, yet stigma, harmful gender norms and persistent systemic gaps keep their suffering invisible. Without stronger support for boys, families and communities to face the issue, boys worldwide are left without the help they need to cope, survive and thrive.

We need to:

– Listen to survivors

– break the silence in our communities

– strengthen families so they can support boys

– develop gender-sensitive policies and services

Why?

Because protecting boys from sexual violence complements and strengthens essential efforts to prevent violence against ALL children, including girls.

The 2026 Blue Umbrella Day Campaign marks an important evolution in how we address violence against children. After years of collectively growing the movement and achieving a profile for Blue Umbrella Day across local, regional, national and global levels, the campaign reached significant milestones including recognition of the issue in UN reports and reaching over one million people.

Building on previous years, the campaign now seeks to highlight that protecting boys cannot be separated from strengthening families and communities. We know that protecting boys strengthens families  and stronger families protect children. When we challenge harmful gender norms and support healthier models of masculinity, we create environments where children can actually grow, heal and thrive.

The campaign also reflects a growing understanding that transforming social norms is essential to building resilient communities.

Sustainable change happens not only through services, programmes and policies, but through shifts in attitudes, everyday behaviours and expectations within families and communities.