World Vision warns about increasing risks of violence affecting displaced children, amid historic Inter-Ministerial Conference
Climate change, food insecurity and conflict contribute to increased displacement and migration
Child-led event will address effective policies to protect displaced children. WV will also foster an event on child marriage and early unions
For LAC, the most violent region in the world, the first Inter-Ministerial conference to end violence against children is a historic milestone to harness commitments and funds
Bogota, November 7st. One in every four migrants that move throughout Latin America and the Caribbean are children or adolescents, thousands more are forcedly displaced due to conflict and disasters, and they are at extreme risk of violence, warned humanitarian and development agency, World Vision.
“Conflict, displacement and protection of children in humanitarian contexts” is the name of a child-led event where representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, and government officials will discuss how violence affects children and will outline potential solutions, within the first Inter-Ministerial Conference to Eliminate Violence against Children. The panel will take place next November 5, in Colombia.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, 2.6 million people are forcedly displaced due to violence and the effects of climate change. Moreover, migratory flows are propelled by political and economic crises, and by conflict flared up by gangs and criminal groups. Countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru are amongst those with the largest populations of migrants and displaced people. In Colombia, for example, 2 out of every 10 migrants are children under 18 years old.
The spiral of violence unleashed by gangs and criminal groups in Haiti has forced the displacement of 700,000 people, only this year. As a result of this crisis, over 1 million children remain out of school. Furthermore, gender violence has scarred the life of thousands of girls living in this context.
“Families and thousands of unaccompanied children are fleeing poverty, insecurity and hunger. We must ensure that every child, especially those internally displaced or migrating are protected. As the impact of climate disruptions and conflict increase throughout the region and the world, we must ensure public policies to guarantee protection, education, health and food for every child”, said Joao Diniz, Regional Leader of World Vision in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Leading voice of children
In the upcoming child-led event, girls and boys from Latin America and the Caribbean will raise their voices demanding effective policies to eliminate violence against them. The event will take place on November 5, at Agora Convention Center, in Bogota, at 11:00 am (room K, 3rd floor). At 2pm, another event will focus on child marriages and early unions, another pervasive form of violence against children.
Ailin, a Dominican girl, explained how poverty, “in many cases, pushes girls and boys to drop out of school, and force them to work. Out of need, many girls end up in early marriages that involve abuse and early pregnancies”.
Bianca (15), from Brazil, said that “the presence of gangs in our communities is of great risk for children, and especially for Afro-descent children like me. Walking to school or even playing with our friends on the streets is very dangerous”, she added.
Jeremías (12), from Colombia, and who will moderate the child-led fórum, demanded “world leaders to take action and create policies to punish those who harm children. Our voices must be heard”, he added.
The first Inter-Ministerial Conference to end Violence against Children is extremely relevant for Latin America and the Caribbean. This is the most violent region in the world. With 9% of the world’s population, it accumulates over a third of homicides, several of them claiming the lives of children and adolescents.
ENDS
For further information, contact Mishelle Mitchell Bernard, Regional Director of External Engagement, World Vision LAC +50688175727 mishelle_mitchell@wvi.org
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.wvi.org follow on X, formerly known as Twitter, @WorldVision