Tue Feb 03 13:34:51 UTC 2026: ### Global Ministers Launch Council to Combat Violence Against a Billion Children

The Story: A group of 10 ministers from various nations has announced the formation of the WHO Council of Champions to End Violence Against Children. This initiative aims to address the alarming statistic that half the world’s children, totaling a billion individuals, experience violence annually. The council seeks to elevate violence prevention to the forefront of national and global agendas, recognizing the long-term detrimental effects of violence on individuals and societies. The ministers commit to leveraging political capital, increasing funding, and intensifying actions, building towards the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in the Philippines in November 2026.

Key Points:

  • Half of the world’s children, or a billion, are victims of violence each year.
  • The WHO Council of Champions to End Violence Against Children is launched by 10 ministers.
  • The council aims to prioritize violence prevention in national and global health, social development, justice, protection, and economic agendas.
  • The INSPIRE framework, coordinated by WHO and partners, offers a proven blueprint of seven strategies.
  • The Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children will be hosted by the Philippines in November 2026.

Key Takeaways:

  • Global recognition of the pervasive nature of violence against children is growing.
  • Political will and coordinated international effort are seen as crucial to addressing the problem.
  • The INSPIRE framework offers a practical, evidence-based approach to prevention.
  • Increased investment and resource allocation are deemed necessary to meet the challenge’s scale.
  • The 2026 conference in the Philippines represents a key opportunity to drive action and measure progress.

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