Delivering on pledges to end violence against children in schools

One year on from the first-ever Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Ministers of Education from Sierra Leone and Zambia shared powerful reflections on their progress towards ensuring safe and enabling schools for every child.   

Almost 50 countries made pledges on 'ensuring safe and enabling schools' at the conference in Bogotá, positioning safe learning environments as a core priority within national education agendas. During the anniversary event co-hosted by WHO, UNICEF and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, three Ministerial champions highlighted how those pledges have begun to translate into concrete action – from strengthening whole-school approaches and teacher training, to improving reporting and response mechanisms for children at risk. Each Minister underscored the shared conviction that safety is foundational to learning, well-being and inclusion.

Their messages also serve as a reminder that progress is possible when governments, partners and communities work together with urgency and clarity of purpose. As we mark the one year after the landmark 2024 Global Ministerial Conference, the experiences of Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and Zambia demonstrate the power of sustained political leadership and cross-sector collaboration. They call on all countries to accelerate efforts so that every child, everywhere, is safe to learn.