DCI and OMCT launch the second edition of the Justice for Children Award

DCI and OMCT see the Justice for Children Award as an opportunityto raise further awareness on the issue within the academic fora, and enablesyoung scholars to contribute to the improvement of the situation of girlsinvolved with the justice system.

This year’s edition will be dedicated to thesituation of girls involved with the justice system and more particularly to thevarious forms of violence that they are exposed to.

“Justice systems often fail to provide girls, either as victimsseeking justice or as alleged and/or convicted offenders, with equal andadequate access to justice, protection, reparation and redress, ratherfurthering violence against them”, said Johan Vigne, Project Officer at DCI.

Furthermore, indetention, girls are often held inunsuitable conditions, and are more likely to be exposed to certain forms ofviolence, which may includetorture and ill-treatment. “Their specific vulnerabilities frequently mean thatthey are victimized twice, both because of their age and their gender,” added Carolina Bárbara,Child Rights Coordinator at OMCT.

About the Justice for Children Award

Applicationsto the Justice for Children Award are open to Master’s students enrolled in EuropeanUniversities (EU, Switzerland and Norway). The deadline for submissions is 30April 2017.

Thewinner of the competition will be awarded a monetary prize, will have his/herarticle published and will be invited to Geneva to attend a session of one ofthe United Nations Human Rights mechanisms and the award ceremony.

Allthe details, including the concept note, rules and regulation, application formas well as information on last year’s edition is available at: http://www.defenceforchildren.org/justice-for-children-award/

Formore information: award@defenceforchildren.org / +41 (0)22 734 05 58

[1] DCI and OMCT are members of the core group of the NGO Panel forthe upcoming UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty: https://childrendeprivedofliberty.info/