Latin America, Caribbean Strengthen Child Protection Efforts

Governments, civil society organizations, youth representatives and international partners from across Latin America and the Caribbean have renewed their commitment to ending violence against children and adolescents. The pledge was made during a high-level regional consultation co-hosted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and UNICEF.

The two-day virtual meeting gathered more than 300 participants, including ministers and senior officials from the health, education, justice, and child protection sectors. The goal was to discuss concrete actions to build safer environments for children in a region that continues to record the world’s highest rates of violence against minors. According to PAHO and UNICEF, nearly two in three children between the ages of 1 and 14 experience violent discipline at home, and one in five girls suffers sexual violence before turning 18.

“Every child has the right to grow up free from violence, safe in their home, school and community,” said Jarbas Barbosa, Director, PAHO. “When health workers identify people at risk early and provide quality support, it makes a real difference for survivors, their families and communities. It is also an opportunity to strengthen public trust in the response system and demonstrate that violence is never justified.”

Anne-Claire Dufay, Deputy Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, UNICEF, emphasized the long-term effects of violence, noting that it impacts children’s mental health and perpetuates cycles of poverty and abuse. “We know what works to end violence,” she said. “We need bold investments in prevention, early detection, quality services and justice systems that respond with dignity and care.”

The consultation was structured around four key areas for prevention and response: strengthening legal and policy frameworks; promoting positive parenting programs; ensuring safe and inclusive learning environments; and improving integrated health and protection services for victims. Participants shared country-level examples of programs that have achieved measurable results in these areas.

The regional consultation sought to build on the commitments made at the 2024 Global Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children in Bogotá and to advance progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 16, which calls for peaceful, just and inclusive societies.