Protecting children is a priority – now is the time to prove it

A billion children worldwide experience violence annually, hindering progress towards the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Members of the WHO Council of Champions to End Violence Against Children state that current efforts are failing to protect children in homes, schools, communities, and online. Violence undermines investments in children's well-being and societal stability. However, the council emphasizes that violence against children is preventable through proven strategies outlined in the INSPIRE framework, coordinated by the WHO. This framework includes strengthening laws, supporting caregivers, scaling response services, and creating safe environments. The council aims to translate this knowledge into global political action to reduce violence against children.