A/67/256 (i) In many countries, it is challenging to monitor and report on cases of sexual violence. Accordingly, further opportunities to gather information on sexual violence should be explored through alternative data collection systems in use at the country level, while upholding the principle of “do no harm”. D. Update on ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict 20. During the reporting period, the Office of the Special Representative continued to advocate the strengthening of the global legal and normative framework for the protection of children, including through the implementation of the campaign for the universal ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The campaign, dubbed “Zero Under 18”, has been conducted in collaboration with UNICEF, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Optional Protocol, adopted in 2000, prohibits the forced recruitment of children under the age of 18 years by armed forces and armed groups and their direct participation in hostilities. 21. The Special Representative participated in a forum organized by the Government of Belgium in February 2012 to mark the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the optional protocols to the Convention. Other activities to create awareness of and momentum around the campaign included the provision of technical advice to Member States on the ratification process, the launch of a social media campaign promoted by celebrities and the issuance of several public statements in which the need for further ratifications was stressed. 22. Between August 2011 and August 2012, the Optional Protocol was signed by Saint Lucia and ratified by San Marino. In addition, four States (Côte d’Ivoire, Grenada, Malaysia and the Niger) acceded to the Optional Protocol, bringing the total number of States parties to 147. To date, 23 States have signed the Optional Protocol but not ratified it, while 24 have neither signed nor ratified. E. Mainstreaming child protection within the United Nations system 23. The Special Representative has continued to accord priority to mainstreaming child protection expertise within the United Nations system, in line with her mandate to foster international cooperation to ensure respect for children’s rights in situations of armed conflict. Child protection focal points in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Political Affairs play an important role in mainstreaming child protection at Headquarters and providing support to field-based child protection advisers, working closely with the Office of the Special Representative. 24. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations-Department of Field Support child protection policy directive established in 2009, referenced in the previous report of the Special Representative, has continued to guide child protection activities and the role of child protection advisers in peacekeeping settings. It has 12-45308 7