Peer-reviewed article
Is Alternative Care on the Violence Against Children Agenda? A Review of Pledges Made at the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children
Justin Rogers, Aisling Ledwith, Florence Martin, Enrique Restoy, Caroline Rose ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This review looks at the pledges made by 103 governments at the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in 2024. It examines how alternative care, family strengthening and family-based care appear within those pledges. It treats violence both as a reason children enter care and as a problem inside care systems. It looks at trends, gaps and new priorities, and at financial and accountability mechanisms. It concludes that care reform should be a central part of efforts to end violence against children.
Key points
- 103 governments made formal commitments at the 2024 conference.
- Violence is described as both a driver for entry into care and a significant factor within care systems.
- The review identifies where countries made explicit commitments to care reform.
- It highlights financial and accountability mechanisms linked to the pledges.
- The findings underscore the need to make care reform a central pillar of efforts to end violence against children.
Limitations
The review covers only pledges announced at the time of the conference, and some governments may have refined or expanded their commitments since. The abstract gives no detail on specific findings by country and does not assess whether pledges were implemented or helped children.
Abstract
In 2024, the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (VAC) brought together 103 governments to make formal commitments to prevent and respond to VAC. This review analyses the pledges announced at the time of the conference, while acknowledging that some governments may have subsequently refined or expanded their commitments, as noted in the limitations. With a focus on how alternative care, family strengthening and family-based care feature within broader VAC strategies. Recognising that violence is both a driver for entry into care and a significant factor within care systems, the review explores trends, gaps and emerging priorities across national contexts. It identifies where countries have made explicit commitments to care reform, highlights financial and accountability mechanisms, and considers the implications for children in alternative care. The findings underscore the need to integrate care reform as a central pillar in efforts to end VAC globally.