The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), with support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), has launched a pilot phase of a new virtual course designed to strengthen the health sector’s response to violence against girls and adolescent girls across Latin America. The initiative brings together more than 60 health sector representatives from various countries in the region to help shape and refine the training before its broader release.
The course has been specifically adapted to the Latin American context and aims to improve the ability of healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive, survivor-centered care to children and adolescents affected by violence. Particular attention is given to the unique challenges faced by girls and adolescent girls, who often experience higher rates of sexual violence, dating violence, child marriage, and forced early unions.
The training program covers a wide range of topics that are critical for effective prevention and response. Participants will learn how to identify early warning signs of violence and risk situations, provide appropriate clinical management for survivors of sexual violence, support girls affected by child marriage or forced unions, address mental health needs, and coordinate referrals with other sectors and support services. The course also includes a training-of-trainers component intended to expand its long-term impact by enabling participants to share knowledge within their own institutions and communities.
PAHO developed the course as part of a broader effort to strengthen health systems and protect the rights, safety, and wellbeing of girls and adolescent girls throughout the region. The initiative builds upon an existing program focused on improving health service responses to violence against women and girls, while introducing content specifically tailored to younger age groups and regional realities.
According to PAHO experts, violence against girls and adolescent girls remains a significant public health and human rights challenge in Latin America. The consequences often extend beyond immediate physical harm and can include long-term psychological, social, educational, and economic impacts. Strengthening the capacity of healthcare providers is therefore seen as a critical component of prevention, early intervention, and recovery efforts.
The pilot phase will run from June through August 2026 and will involve multiple forms of engagement, including virtual sessions, bilateral consultations, and structured feedback processes. Participants will contribute experiences, best practices, and country-specific resources that can help ensure the final course reflects diverse national and local contexts across Latin America.
A key objective of the pilot is to incorporate practical lessons learned from healthcare systems throughout the region. By drawing on local expertise and real-world experiences, PAHO aims to create a more relevant and effective learning resource that can be applied across different healthcare settings and cultural environments.
The initiative also emphasizes the importance of multisectoral collaboration. Effective responses to violence against children and adolescents often require coordination between healthcare providers, social services, educational institutions, legal systems, and community organizations. The course seeks to strengthen these connections by promoting integrated approaches to survivor support and protection.
Following the completion of the pilot phase and incorporation of participant feedback, PAHO plans to make the course publicly available through its Virtual Campus for Public Health. The training will be offered free of charge, increasing access for healthcare workers, policymakers, educators, and other professionals involved in protecting children and adolescents.
The launch of this course reflects growing recognition of the role healthcare systems play in preventing violence, identifying vulnerable individuals, and providing timely support to survivors. By strengthening professional capacity and promoting survivor-centered care, PAHO aims to contribute to safer environments and better health outcomes for girls and adolescent girls throughout Latin America.
As countries continue working to address gender-based violence and protect children’s rights, initiatives such as this training program are expected to play an important role in improving service quality, enhancing awareness, and fostering more coordinated responses to violence across the region.
