Marta Santos Pais is the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children. She promotes the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against children – in the justice setting, at home, within institutional care settings, in schools, in the workplace and in the community. She acts as a bridge builder in all regions, and across sectors and settings where violence against children may occur. Since her appointment, she has been strongly committed to mobilising action and political support for this agenda and to achieve steady global progress.
Ms Pais has more than 30 years' experience on human rights issues, and engagement in United Nations and intergovernmental processes. She is the author of many publications on human rights and children's rights. She has held positions in UNICEF and was a Rapporteur of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.