Around the world, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 7 boys experience sexual violence in childhood. I urge you to prioritize the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, and use this moment to make significant commitments to address childhood sexual violence in our country. Commitments should include passing and enforcing strong protective legislation; ensuring that evidence-based prevention, healing, and justice programs are taken to scale; funding national action plans; and engaging with youth and survivors in a meaningful way in decision-making processes. As you will be aware, significant commitments have already been made. All 193 countries who are part of the United Nations (UN) signed on to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, with a commitment to boldly and decisively address many important issues by 2030. Protecting children from violence and exploitation was one of them. We must ensure our country is taking the issue of childhood sexual violence seriously, no matter where it happens: in homes, in schools, in communities, in places of worship, in sports teams, online, in conflict, or in the context of child marriage. By making meaningful commitments to this issue, you can help shape a future where every child grows up safe and thrives Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I look forward to seeing your support for the protection of our children.