Vanuatu prepares pledge to end violence against children

Sep 29, 2026 | News | 0

Vanuatu is preparing a national pledge with specific actions and targets to strengthen protection against violence towards children, following a national consultation held in Port Vila last Thursday.

The half-day National Preparatory Consultation for the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children was held at the Warwick Hotel on 24 September 2026, bringing together government representatives and key stakeholders to review progress, identify gaps and agree on priority areas.

The consultation forms part of Vanuatu’s preparations for the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which will be held in Manila, Philippines, from 18 to 19 November 2026. The conference is being hosted by the Government of the Philippines together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

Vanuatu and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have been selected to represent Oceania at the conference. Vanuatu will have an opportunity to share its national experience, challenges and commitments while contributing to international efforts to prevent and end violence against children.

The global conference will bring together ministers, senior government officials, United Nations agencies and representatives of children, youth, civil society and other partners to advance prevention and strengthen national commitments to protecting children.

During the Port Vila consultation, participants reviewed Vanuatu’s national story, including progress in strengthening the child protection system, available evidence on violence against children and areas where further action is required.

A key discussion, “Who Are We Still Not Reaching?”, encouraged participants to examine children, communities, locations and forms of violence that may remain less visible or underserved by existing protection and response mechanisms.

Vanuatu’s representative will present the National Pledge at the Manila conference and reaffirm the Government’s commitment to translating it into practical measures over the following two years, with the aim of achieving agreed national targets by 2028.

The consultation also reinforced that preventing violence against children requires coordinated efforts across government ministries, provincial authorities, police, health and education services, communities, churches, civil society, development partners, families and children themselves.

Through the national consultation and preparations for the Manila conference, Vanuatu is working to identify priority areas and strengthen a child protection system that reaches children across the country.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Building a Brighter Future for Vanuatu’s Youth October 6, 2026
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Vanuatu’s Titan FX Dream beyond borders shortlisted in ICMA awards October 6, 2026
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Supreme Court dismisses charge against father over alleged neglect October 6, 2026
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