The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Gbeme Horace Kollie, has reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to eradicating violence against children by 2030, following a historic Call to Action derived from the deliberations at the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children. The conference, held in Bogotá, Colombia, in November 2024, brought together global leaders to forge a united vision for child protection worldwide.
The two-day conference established a roadmap for creating a world where children are safe in their homes, schools, communities, and online. It underscored the urgency of addressing violence against children and called for collective action to meet the targets outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seeks to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children by 2030.
In a communique issued recently upon the completion of the Call To Action instrument, Minister Kollie said:
“I hereby join fellow leaders around the world to endorse the Call to Action Communique on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia. We stand in readiness to collaborate and align our collective resources in the global fight to end violence against children. This is a cause that transcends borders, and Liberia is committed to being a part of the solution.”
The Minister extended her heartfelt gratitude to the organizers of the Bogotá conference and expressed appreciation for the support accorded to the Liberian delegation, which actively engaged in discussions aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges of child protection.
Minister Kollie emphasized that Liberia’s participation in the Bogotá conference marks a pivotal moment in its ongoing efforts to combat violence against children.
The conference concluded with a unified Call to Action, urging all nations to prioritize investments in child protection systems, engage civil society, and empower children to be active participants in building a safer future.
Hon. Kollie reaffirmed Liberia’s dedication to implementing the commitments outlined in the Call to Action.
The Ministry was represented at the conference by Hon. Garmai Tokpah, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Protection.
In the coming months, the Ministry of Gender will convene consultations with local and international stakeholders to ensure that the global commitments made in Bogotá are effectively translated into impactful actions on the ground. The Ministry will also ensure that the conference’s recommendations are intergrated into national policies and strategies, ensuring alignment with global standards and strengthening the country’s child protection framework.
The Bogotá conference has ignited a renewed sense of purpose among global leaders, and Liberia stands proudly among those determined to protect the world’s children and secure their future.
Signed:
Communications Unit
Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
EJS Ministerial Complex
