Global Discussion Elevates Care Reform Commitments to End Child Violence

25.07.2025

Addressing the intersection between violence against children and children’s care is integral to the fight to end violence against children globally.

Violence plays a significant role as a driver of child-family separation, and young people entering care are exposed to the risk of further violence in the system meant to protect them. Well supported, resilient families, in which children can grow in love and safety, are central to the fight to end violence against children.

At the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in November 2024, countries from around the world gathered to renew their collective ambition to end violence against children, and to make commitments to act to protect children.

Wednesday’s Digital Dialogue session on Ending Violence Against Children and reforming child care and child protection systems, co-organised by WHO and UNICEF with Lumos and the Better Care Network, brought together government representatives as well as experts on ending violence against children and care reform. It aimed to review progress so far in the implementation of pledges made at the first Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children which took place in Bogota, Colombia, in 2024, and generate a sense of mutual accountability towards these goals.

To open the event, Sabine Rakotomalala, World Health Organisation, outlined the purpose of the EVAC Digital Dialogue series; to provide an opportunity for government and civil society actors to share their implementation strategies for commitments made during the ministerial conference, and share examples of good practice in tackling violence against children.

Session moderator, Howard Taylor, Lumos CEO, highlighted that this session was an important opportunity to demonstrate the interconnectedness between reforming children’s care and ending violence against children, and to foster cross-regional learning and contribute to reporting against national pledges.

Facilitated discussion with national government representatives around implementation of pledges integrating VAC and care reform

The speakers for this session represented governments which had made commitments during the 2024 ministerial conference, and who were asked to use their time to provide an update on their country’s progress and plans relating to the pledges.

Hon Rowena Macalintal, from the National Authority for Child Care in the Philippines, began the discussion. She provided an overview of the progress made on the Philippines’ commitments, including the scaling up of the foster care system, strengthening of child and youth participation, and the increase of funds for child protection. Summarising the work being done in the Philippines, she said that the goal was to build a system where no child is invisible, and one that asks not where children should be placed, but instead how families can be supported.

Ghana’s National Director of Social Welfare, Dr. Prince Abrah, offered an update on Ghana’s progress, emphasising that violence against children is a top priority. In the coming year Ghana plans to focus on the commitments made in 2024 which include the rollout of the National Action Plan on Care Reform Initiative for Children, and the establishment of Child Protection Committees across all districts of the country.

From the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, David Bailey presented the new Global Children’s Care Reform Campaign, an important initiative from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy which aims to promote childcare reform at a global level. This campaign will be an opportunity for the UK to fulfil its pledge to champion the importance of strengthening families and child protection systems. David also emphasised that the UK had made commitments to tackle violence against children in the UK, and has an ambition to reset the children’s social care system to keep children in family-based care. 

Mwambi Mongare Deputy Director Children Services,  Head Child Protection, Kenya, shared the progress which has been made in Kenya following the Ministerial Conference. He shared that the Kenyan president had created a new State Department for Children’s Services in April, and that new committees had been created at county level which would handle issues relating to Kenya’s pledges. Mwambi went on to highlight the importance of ensuring that no child is left behind, and the need to address this issue in a way which is inclusive and sensitive to gender. 

Reflections from national and global thematic experts

The second half of the digital dialogue featured reflections from thematic experts on children’s rights.

Kicking off this section was Kyrylo Nevdokha, Head of the Office of Children and Youth in Ukraine, and a member of the Care Leaders Council. Kyrylo shared the impact that the ongoing conflict has had on children’s rights in Ukraine, as well as speaking about violence which occurs in institutions. He emphasised the importance of speaking out against violations of child rights and listening to children who speak out, as well as ensuring that they are supported and protected from retaliation by those in charge of their care when they do speak out. Kyrylo said ‘When a child talks about violence, they risk a lot. If nothing happens, a child will remain silent and muted.’ 

Rebecca Smith, Global Head of Child Protection at Save the Children International, followed to speak about the importance of taking a child protection system strengthening approach to ending violence against children, and the critical importance of integrating care reform as part of global efforts to end violence. She emphasised the need for cross-sectoral working in tackling violence against children, and for a strong continuum of care services, connected with early detection and intervention for children at risk of experiencing violence. 

From the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Marisol Blanchard shared about the work being done to hold governments to account for their international and regional commitments including in relation to children’s care and alternative care. She also spoke about the thematic report written by the IACHR on care reform and deinstitutionalisation which addresses the reality of violence against children in alternative care settings, and recommends that states undertake a process of deinstitutionalisation of children. 

Finally, the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Rights by Persons With Albinism, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, joined to speak about violence perpetrated against children with albinism, and the impact that this has on them and their families. She called for solutions which would ensure that children with albinism are able to remain in their families, and which would address the root causes of this violence in the long term, and highlighted the importance of care reform efforts which are inclusive of children with albinism who are at acute risk of violence. 

The Digital Dialogue was an excellent opportunity to hear from governments about the important progress being made to address violence against children and reform children’s care systems, as well as to hear from experts on these issues. We are excited to keep working as a global community to ensure that every child is able to thrive in a safe and loving family environment, and be free from all forms of violence.

Authored by:

Aisling Ledwith

Lumos Senior Advocacy and Campaigns Officer