Governments, civil society, youth representatives, and international partners from Latin America and the Caribbean reaffirmed their joint commitment to end violence against children and adolescents during a high-level regional consultation organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and UNICEF. Despite progress, the region continues to face alarming rates of violence — with nearly two-thirds of children aged 1 to 14 subjected to violent discipline at home and one in five girls experiencing sexual violence before turning 18. Interpersonal violence remains one of the leading causes of death among young people, highlighting the urgent need for stronger action and investment in protection systems.
The two-day virtual dialogue, held on 23–24 October, gathered over 300 participants, including ministers, senior government officials, youth leaders, and international experts. Discussions focused on concrete measures to build safer environments for children at home, in schools, and in communities. PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa emphasized that health services must play a central role in early detection and survivor support, while UNICEF Deputy Regional Director Anne-Claire Dufay urged for bold investments in prevention, quality services, and justice systems that uphold children’s dignity and rights.
The consultation advanced an evidence-to-action agenda built around four priority areas — strengthening legal and policy frameworks, expanding parenting programs, promoting safe learning environments, and ensuring comprehensive health and protection services for survivors. Countries across the region shared successful practices demonstrating measurable results in these areas.
Participants agreed that effective prevention requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, integrating efforts across education, health, justice, and social protection sectors. They also underscored the importance of including the voices of survivors and young people to drive meaningful change. The meeting concluded with renewed commitments to build coordinated, data-driven, and child-centered protection systems that leave no one behind.
The Regional Ministerial Consultation, convened by PAHO and UNICEF, served as a follow-up to the Global Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children held in Bogotá in 2024. It aimed to strengthen regional cooperation and advance progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 16, which calls for ending all forms of violence, exploitation, and abuse against children while promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.
