PRESS RELEASE

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — One year after the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, delegates from across Africa have made renewed commitments to intensify efforts to protecting children from violence

Gathering for a three day ARISE Africa convening and hosted by WHO Africa, UNICEF, and partners, the ministers, UN agencies, civil society, youth networks and development organizations assess progress made so far and charted a unified path forward.

Over 205 million children in Africa experience violence each year, ranging from physical abuse to neglect and exploitation. Despite this challenge, child protection remains one of the most underfunded sectors, with many countries allocating less than 0.2% of their national budgets to safeguarding children. To address this, participants adopted a continental roadmap aimed at strengthening accountability and accelerating implementation of child protection measures.

The roadmap calls on countries to, among other things: establish comprehensive, government-led child protection systems anchored in robust legal frameworks; increase domestic financing for child protection; and align national efforts with continental instruments such as the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Agenda 2040, and Agenda 2063.

The convening emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration among health, education, justice, and social welfare systems to create safer environments for children. Delegates also endorsed actions to strengthen data systems and evidence-based monitoring to identify areas where children remain most at risk, and to expand community and youth-led initiatives that empower families, educators, and local leaders to prevent and respond to violence.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Francis Chisaka Kasolo, WHO Representative (a.i.) to Ethiopia and Director of WHO liaison office to AU and UNECA underscored the importance of sustainable financing, innovation, and strong partnerships to translate commitments into lasting change. “Protecting Africa’s children demands more than promises — it requires action,” she said.

The adoption of the ARISE Africa outcome document marks a new phase of collective accountability. It is one thing to announce. It is another to act.

The convening concluded with a shared vision: an Africa where every girl and boy grows up empowered, protected, and free from violence.

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