Latin Press and Ap
La Jornada Newspaper
Saturday, November 9, 2024, p. 11
Bogota. The World Ministerial Conference to end violence against children, which was held in Colombia, culminated yesterday with the dissemination of the Bogotá Call to Action, a document that establishes commitments to eradicate attacks against children.
At the convention that was sponsored by the Colombian government with support from Sweden, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a collective initiative to protect children that will be led by several countries; in addition to the creation of a global platform for survivors of violence to share their experiences as part of their healing process.
Significant agreements were also reached, including the launch of the first global movement that will focus on the prevention of child abuse, led by boys, girls, adolescents and young people.
Violence against children can derail their development. The experience of violence in childhood, including abuse or rejection at home, is a leading preventable cause of mental health, a risk for exploitation and crime throughout the life cycle.
Omar Abdi, UNICEF deputy executive director of programs, said Thursday.
During the start of activities, the president of that nation, Gustavo Petro, gave a speech in which he warned that although the figures of abuse against children are catastrophic
the parameters that define these actions are narrow and do not allow us to see the real magnitude of the problem.
Petro advocated for migrant children, especially those traveling through southern countries on their way to the United States. What is going to happen? What is the political line? Put up the walls, put up the concentration zones?
he questioned, without explicitly referring to the potential immigration measures of President-elect Donald Trump.
