Building on the incredible pace set on our opening day, sessions on Day 2 of the IC 2025 proved to be no less informative and inspiring!
“On the Road to 2030: A Global Perspective” explored the progress since the Bogotá Commitments made during the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children last year, showcasing how cross-sector collaboration is strengthening child protection systems and improving outcomes for children. The session highlighted the vital role of child helplines as both contributors to and beneficiaries of these efforts. Ministers and senior officials will shared national progress and commitments to integrate child helplines into broader systems.
Moderated by our founder, Jeroo Billimoria, we heard from our Board Chair and member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Philip D. Jaffé; Dr Joan Nyanyuki of the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF); Diahann GordonHarrison, Children’s Advocate of Jamaica & National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons (also representing our Jamaican member, SafeSpot); Hon Jean Sendeza MP, Minister of Gender, Malawi; Aya Benjamin Libo Warille, Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, South Sudan; and Hon Doreen Sefuke Mwamba, Minister of Community Development and Social
Services, Zambia.
- Practical approaches to measuring the impacts made by child helplines, and how to present outcomes in ways that resonate with key stakeholders.
- Tackling Technology-Facilitated Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (TF-CSEA) – drawing on the latest global data collected by child helplines, and with insights from partners, this session explored the prevalence of TF-CSEA, emerging trends, successful strategies for prevention, and child-centred support systems.
- Leveraging helplines in emergency settings, exploring how helplines from across the eastern and southern Africa region were instrumental in imitigating GBV risks and responding to survivors of GBV during emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic and more current climate-related crises such as drought.
- Strengthening protection for Children on the Move, including refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless children. Participants explored three essential functions: rela-time, child-friendly information; safe, cross-border referrals; and structured risk monitoring.
After some time given over for delegates to explore Livingstone a little more and engage in some one-to-one networking opportunities and side meetings, the day ended with a dinner hosted by the Government of the Republic of Zambia, with a special presentation from the UNFPA, as we celebrated milestones on ending harmful practices and highlighted the urgency of unfinished business ending child marriage and FGM.