A/HRC/22/55 information and communications technologies; and prevent and address children’s exposure to armed violence and organized crime. C. Tackling violence across children’s life cycle 120. Future initiatives need to be gender-sensitive, informed by children’s perspectives and experience and tailored to children’s evolving stages of development. To prevent violence against them in early years, investment in positive parenting, home visitation and early childhood care and development programmes remains essential. To capitalize on young people’s agency and potential and prevent their stigmatization and manipulation in violent incidents and criminal activities, it will be imperative to empower them with life skills and quality education and support their active contribution to a violence-free society. D. Investing in the protection of the most vulnerable children 121. Violence is a frequent dimension in children’s lives. It occurs in various forms and contexts and has serious and long-lasting consequences on their well-being and development. Prevention and elimination efforts need to address these dynamics and invest in the social inclusion of girls and boys at special risk, for whom the multiple dimensions of deprivation go hand in hand with a cumulative exposure to violence. Enhancing families’ capacity to protect and care for their children, and preventing child abandonment and placement in residential care remain crucial dimensions of this process. E. Recognizing violence as a priority and cross-cutting concern in the development agenda 122. Violence does not take place in a vacuum. Important factors, such as poverty, environmental degradation and organized crime aggravate the risk of child neglect, maltreatment and abuse. Conversely, the protection of children from violence contributes to social progress and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. As the international community considers the global development agenda for beyond 2015, it is critical to address violence as a priority and a cross-cutting concern, recognizing the centrality of the human dignity of the child, securing the protection of the most disadvantaged and safeguarding children’s right to freedom from violence. 123. The Special Representative looks forward to continuing to collaborate closely with Member States and all other stakeholders in the further strengthening of this crucial agenda. 23