A young girl from Puerto del Rosario, 16 years old, and belonging to the Child Friendly City project has participated in Madrid in the “.V World Congress on Justice for Children“The event was attended by more than 800 people in person and more than 6,000 people online, including prosecutors, judges, lawyers, human rights defenders, ministers and ambassadors, among others, to discuss the protection of children’s rights in judicial systems.
Young Ailin comments: “On the first day, in another space outside the congress, we had the opportunity to meet with Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on violence against children. We were talking about the importance of protecting young people when they enter the justice system, some of the strategies used by other countries to ensure the well-being of their young people in justice systems, among others.
During my intervention, I commented on the importance of juvenile justice policies being designed not only for young people, but with us. I talked about how many times justice systems end up punishing poverty, difference or exclusion, and how instead of protecting, they can deepen the violence we already live with. In addition, I commented that real justice cannot be built from desks far from our realities: we need to be at the table, not as a symbol, but as protagonists.”
Throughout the Congress, Ailin was able to participate in different workshops, and have speaking roles together with professors from the University of Valencia.
“Not only was I able to make use of my right to participate and have an opinion, but I also gave a voice to those young people whose voices are still not heard,” said the young majorera.
The City Council of Puerto del Rosario has expressed its deep gratitude to Ailin for her dedication and courage in a scenario of such magnitude.
