Every child deserves a childhood free from violence

20 July 2026, Cairo, Egypt - Violence against children can affect a child's health, development and well-being long after the experience itself. Preventing and responding to violence is therefore an important responsibility for the health sector and a key public health priority.

At the , ministers, senior government officials and partners from across the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region reaffirmed their commitment to protect every child from violence. Discussions focused on accelerating action, strengthening national policies and services, improving data and enhancing collaboration across sectors to better protect children, including those affected by conflict and displacement.

Children exposed to violence face a higher risk of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, and high-risk behaviours such as substance abuse and unsafe sexual practices, as well as chronic and infectious diseases, disability, reduced educational attainment, and diminished quality of life.

The challenge facing the Eastern Mediterranean Region is urgent. The Region accounts for 10% of child homicides globally and has one of the highest estimated child homicide rates in the world. The situation is further exacerbated by the many humanitarian emergencies affecting the Region.

The health sector has a critical role to play. During the Ministerial Briefing, Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, called for action in three key areas:

"First, provide strong leadership to strengthen coordinated, multisectoral action. Second, invest in resilient systems that can prevent violence, protect children and support survivors, even during crises. And third, reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring that every child can grow up safe, healthy and free from violence."

Across the Region, momentum is growing. WHO, UNICEF, the League of Arab States and other partners continue to support countries in strengthening the health sector response to violence against children through improved policies, stronger health systems, better services and enhanced multisectoral collaboration.

This growing commitment was reflected at the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in November 2024, where more than 100 governments pledged concrete actions to accelerate progress. Nine countries from the Region - the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and the United Arab Emirates - made 23 pledges across 10 thematic areas, several of which are health-related or health-linked.

Regional engagement at the global level continues to expand. Jordan and Oman are participating in the WHO-led Council of Champions initiative to end violence against children, demonstrating regional leadership and a shared determination to create safer environments for children.

As countries prepare for the second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in November 2026, the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region have an important opportunity to review progress, address gaps and strengthen action to protect children.

The coming months provide a window for countries to translate commitments into practical action, including stronger services, better data and closer collaboration across sectors.

Ending violence against children is both possible and achievable. It requires sustained leadership, coordinated action and collective investment from governments, communities and partners to ensure that every child can grow up safe, healthy and protected from violence in all contexts.