Bucharest hosts regional ministerial conference on ending violence against children

BUCHAREST, 13 October 2025 - High-level representatives – including ministers, senior decision-makers, professionals, and children – from across the European Union and the wider Europe and Central Asia region met today in Bucharest for a two-day regional ministerial conference dedicated to ending violence against children. The event is convened by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity of Romania, in partnership with UNICEF and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children.  

The event aims to strengthen regional momentum to eliminate all forms of violence against children and to highlight concrete progress and promising practices in prevention, early intervention when there are signs of distress or harm, justice and alternative care reforms that aim to support children and families in community-based care, and investments in the workforce required to achieve and sustain results. Country delegations will present national commitments, progress made since the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children held in Bogota in 2024, and new or updated pledges aligned with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals.  

As part of the conference, a group of children from Romania will present the outcomes of a regional consultation held earlier in October with peers from EU Member States and other countries in Europe and Central Asia, sharing their views, opinions, and recommendations on preventing and responding to violence against children. 

On the second day, discussions will focus on fostering collaboration and peer exchange among countries, international partners, experts, and individuals with lived experience. 

The urgency of ending violence against children is underscored by recent data showing that up to 69 per cent of children aged 1 to 14 in countries and territories with available data in Europe and Central Asia experience violent discipline, including physical punishment or psychological aggression. Globally, nearly 90 million children and women alive today have experienced sexual violence during childhood.  

As part of the conference, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office will launch a new report Where we live and learn: Violence against children in Europe and Central Asia, presenting the latest data on violence against children in the region.  

“This high-level event in Bucharest offers the opportunity to reinforce exchanges and expand commitments made in Bogota a year ago, and to make ending violence against children a regional priority scaling up evidence-based interventions that protect children,” said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia attending the event alongside Sheema Sen Gupta, UNICEF Global Director of Child Protection and Migration. 

"Protecting children from violence is not only a legal obligation, but a moral duty. We recently submitted a legislative proposal that criminalizes forced marriages—a necessary step to protect girls and send a clear message: freedom is not negotiable. Romania renews its commitment to protect every child and to continuously learn from the experiences and good practices of our regional partners. In the face of old and new threats, we must remain united and determined to ensure a safer and more dignified future for every child," said Petre-Florin Manole, Romania's Minister of Labor, Family, Youth, and Social Solidarity. 

“Ending violence against children is possible, and it makes economic sense. Violence can be prevented if we act collectively and differently, with a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,” said Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children.