1 Billion Child Victims. 100 Days. 1 Historic Opportunity.

Brikena Zogaj makes an urgent plea for everyone to act now so the November conference in Bogotá, Colombia to end violence changes the world for children. 

World leaders are on a countdown to deliver a breakthrough for the billion boys and girls affected by all kinds of violence, which not only shatters their childhoods but also devastates the societies of today and tomorrow. 

The Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children is being held in Bogotá, Colombia 100 days from today. This is an historic event where governments are due to commit to actions and investment to end violence against the world’s most innocent and vulnerable people.  

This is the first conference of its kind. It could and should be a pivotal moment for humanity. What happens between now and November 7 will ultimately dictate the outcomes of this gathering. Will governments and other powerholders do all they can to ensure attendees in Colombia act with a single vision to end violence against children? 

World Vision offices in countries around the globe, with their history of campaigning to end this scourge on children and young people, are joining forces with local partners to influence evidence-based government priorities in National Preparatory Processes.  

Additionally, we plan to be involved with three satellite events due to be organised during the week of the Global Ministerial Conference in Bogotá. These events will amplify the voices of civil society organisations, networks, alliances, public survivors, and most importantly, children, to secure concrete commitments, partnership and accountability from governments, donors, and stakeholders to end violence against children.  

We are preparing five country briefs on Bangladesh, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and the Dominican Republic, along with a global thematic review, to provide evidence that addressing child early, forced marriage, and unions is achievable.  

Over the next 100 days, we will also publish a global report titled “Mending Cracks, Filling Gaps,” detailing how governments can intensify their efforts to end violence against children. The report reveals alarming statistics: nearly three in four children aged 2-4, approximately 300 million, regularly endure physical punishment and/or psychological violence. Additionally, around 12 million girls are married during childhood each year.  

At the current rate, it will take 300 years to eradicate child marriage. Furthermore, the financial impact of physical, psychological, and sexual violence against children on the global economy is immense, costing up to $14.4 trillion. The consequences of such violence result in significant direct and indirect costs, undermining economic development and exacerbating instability and inequality. 

This must stop.  

If you haven’t begun planning for November’s conference, then start today! You have just 100 days to do whatever is in your power to ensure that the outcome of the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children changes the world for children. Perhaps never before has the name of our campaign been more relevant: it takes a world to end violence against children. It takes you and me. Let’s make the next 100 days count!   

Learn more about World Vision’s child protection work here  

Brikena Zogaj serves as the Senior Advisor for External Engagement on the Global Child Protection and Participation Team at World Vision International (WVI). She holds a Master’s degree and has 25 years of experience in child rights. Her professional experience encompasses positions within national and international CSOs, philanthropic organizations, networks, alliances, and government structures.