The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), held a preparatory meeting on Monday, 28 September 2026, ahead of the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, scheduled to take place in Manila, Philippines, on 18 and 19 November 2026.
The meeting was held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, and brought together relevant stakeholders to deliberate on Nigeria’s preparation and participation in the forthcoming global conference. The preparatory meeting provided an important platform for stakeholders to review progress, identify existing gaps and discuss priority actions needed to strengthen efforts towards preventing and responding to violence against children.
The Second Global Ministerial Conference is expected to build on commitments made at the first Ministerial Conference held in Bogotá in 2024, while encouraging countries to strengthen existing commitments and develop further actions to prevent violence against children.
The 2026 conference will place particular attention on prevention, including support for parents and caregivers, safe and enabling schools, effective response systems and emerging threats to children.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI), Engr. Krystal Anyanwu, was in attendance, amongst attendees were HRH Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, Etsu of Kwali and Chairman, Council of Kwali Traditional Rulers representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Youth, and other relevant ministries, agencies and organisations were also present. The stakeholders joined in deliberations on issues surrounding violence against children and the actions required to strengthen protection, prevention, and response mechanisms ahead of the global conference.
Her participation reflected CFHI’s continued engagement in initiatives that promote the protection, health, rights and wellbeing of children and vulnerable populations.
The meeting concluded with a renewed emphasis on collective responsibility and coordinated action to strengthen Nigeria’s efforts towards ending violence against children. Stakeholders reaffirmed the importance of translating commitments into practical actions that would contribute to safer environments where children can grow, learn, and thrive.