Bogota/Geneva, 7 November - More than a billion children worldwide face threats that endanger their safety, education and dignity, with violence and climate-related disasters undermining their rights and futures. At the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence against Children, held in Bogotá on 7 - 8 November and hosted by the governments of Colombia and Sweden, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for bold, immediate action to uphold children's rights.

"Governments, organizations, and communities must recognize the long-term consequences of failing to protect children," said Gurvinder Singh, IFRC Senior Advisor on Child Protection. "Violence and neglect in childhood create deep societal impacts, fueling cycles of poverty, health issues, and instability. We are at a critical point: the world must commit to safeguarding children across all ages, genders, and abilities."

Violence and climate disasters are among the most urgent threats to children. Half of the world's children are still unable to exercise their right to live free from violence, which remains pervasive in both daily and humanitarian settings. Children are exposed to physical, emotional, and sexual violence in spaces meant to protect them, such as homes, schools, and communities.

Simultaneously, climate-related disasters -- floods, heatwaves, and storms -- are increasing the risk of harm, displacement, and exploitation for children. As climate emergencies escalate, so must investment in child protection, focusing on early warning, early action, and proactive measures to safeguard children before disasters strike. This is especially true for those children too often left out and left behind in their communities, such as those with disabilities.

Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies bring vast experience in implementing localized programs to protect children from violence, abuse, and exploitation. They work to ensure safe, equal, and uninterrupted access to quality, inclusive education and learning opportunities. Scaling up these evidence-based initiatives is essential to advancing child protection and achieving the goals of this Ministerial Conference.

The IFRC's 2025-2028 Appeal: Ending Violence Against Children in and Through Education mobilizes partnerships with schools, communities, and public institutions to create safe environments and reduce risks in emergencies. The IFRC collaborates with Ministries of Education, Health, and Climate, as well as local agencies and researchers, to develop risk-forecasting systems that protect children from violence and exploitation, particularly in climate-related disasters such as heatwaves and floods.

"Protecting children from violence and disasters is a shared responsibility, and we are - and will continue to be - dedicated to working with communities, public officials and children themselves to ensure that no child grows up hopeless or in fear," said Colombian Red Cross President, Dr. Judith Carvajal de Álvarez. "Our humanitarian network's 16 million volunteers uniquely reinforce children's participation, community systems and key services that uphold children's rights and well-being".

For more information and to set up an interview, please contact: [email protected]

Examples of the Red Cross' work on child protection in the Americas include: