Latin America and the Caribbean

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti –“It used to be very calm in my neighbourhood,” says 9-year-old Jean* as he recalls how life used to be in the Savane Pistache area of the capital, Port-au-Prince. “I could go to school. I could visit the doctor when I was sick. I could play with my friends. And I could eat as much as I wanted.” “But everything changed…

Washington, D.C., April 19, 2024 – Finance ministers from across Latin America and the Caribbean convened today in Washington, D.C., to discuss mobilizing $372 billion over the next five years to combat the region's water and sanitation crisis. The meeting, which gathered close to 100 ministers and development partners, was hosted by the Inter-…

In Latin America and the Caribbean, violence has become part of the everyday life of children and adolescents.  Our region is considered one of the most violent in the world. It is time to stop the cycle of violence. Logo reads violence generates more violence #CutTheViolence List by countries Helplines | How does violence get hidden? |…, Violence is always violence, Violence does not occur in isolation. Acts of violence should not be treated as stand-alone incidents but as events rooted in the lives of children and adolescents. Violence is a cycle that generates more violence.   Children and adolescents who experience violence are more likely than others to experience other types of violence later in life or…, How does violence get hidden?, There are many ways of justifying and thereby hiding violence. If people can make it seem natural, it will carry on happening.  It can be disguised as affection, custom, or a form of parenting or education. It might even be disguised as a practice within sports, fashion, music, or a challenge on social media, among many other things.  It also…, What do you need to know about violence to make it stop?, There are three forms of violence: Sexual violence. Violent death, especially as a result of armed violence. Corporal punishment and psychological aggression, used as disciplinary methods. Definitions: Violent discipline  Corporal punishment  Severe corporal punishment Psychological aggression  Any corporal punishment or psychological aggression.…, What we need to do?, To end violence against children in Latin America and the Caribbean, UNICEF urges governments to:   Adopt laws that fully prohibit corporal punishment in all settings. Amend national legislation to align with international standards regarding the criminalization of child sexual abuse and exploitation and protection of child victims. Invest in…, Parenting tips

UNICEF is calling for efforts to identify all situations of violence against children. It is necessary to become aware of the situation and recognize cases of violence and break the cycle of violence trapping millions of children and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean. Children and adolescents who experience violence are more likely…, Bandera Argentina Argentina, Línea telefónica de los chicos (Children's telephone line) Contact: Telephone line 102. This free and confidential telephone service for children and adolescents offers listening, support and guidance. It also conducts interventions, jointly with other government agencies, in situations of rights violations.  Web  , Bandera de Belice Belize, Domestic violence helpline Contact: 0800 292 96 88 (0800 A WAY OUT)  Web, Bandera Bolivia Bolivia, La línea de emergencia a la violencia (Emergency violence hotline) Contact: Dial the free telephone line 156 that provides assistance to victims of violence, including children and adolescents.  Web, Bandera de Brasil Brazil, Red de asistencia y protección social (Social assistance and protection network) Contact: Telephone line 100 Web TECA Contact: +55 21 2589 5656 123Alô! Contact: 0800 0 123 123, Bandera Chile Chile, Fonoinfancia Contact: Toll-free phone line: 800 200 818 Telephone: 800 116 111 WhatsApp: +56 9 3082 2187 Web, Bandera Colombia Colombia, ICBF Colombia (Colombian Institute of Family Welfare) Contact: Telephone line 141, phone line 106 in Bogota Web   TeGuio Colombia (sexual violence) Contact: Helpline number 018005190690 or text messages to WhatsApp 314 821 0435 Web  , Bandera Costa Rica Costa Rica, Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (National Children's Trust)  Contact: Line 1147, Bandera Cuba Cuba, Policía Nacional Revolucionaria (National Revolutionary Police - PNR) Contact: PNR 106/Attorney General's Office: 802 12345 Centro de Protección a Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes (Centre for the Protection of Children and Adolescents) Contact: La Habana: 72125419 Villa Clara: 42207124 Santiago de Cuba: 22692552 Consejería del Centro A+ espacios…, Bandera República Dominicana Dominican Republic, Línea de ayuda familiar (Family helpline) Contact: 809-636-3507 WhatsApp: 849-258-4479 Web   YouTube, Bandera Ecuador Ecuador, Servicio Integrado de Seguridad ECU 911 (Integrated Security Service) Emergencies of all kinds, including reports of violence. Contact: 911 Web   Ministerio de la Mujer y Derechos Humanos (Ministry of Women and Human Rights) Care centres (violet centres) and shelters for women victims of violence. Web   Juntas Cantonales de Protección de Derechos…, Bandera El Salvador El Salvador, Consejo Nacional de la Primera Infancia, Niñez y Adolescencia (National Council for Early Childhood and Adolescence) Contact: 119 helpline, available 24 hours a day Web Juntas de Protección de Niñez y Adolescencia (Childhood and Adolescence Protection Boards) Web  , Bandera de Granada Grenada, Sweet Water Foundation Child Helpline Contact: 473-800-4444 WhatsApp: 473-537-STOP (7867), Bandera de Jamaica Jamaica, Safe Spot A confiential and secure 24-hour helpline for children and adolescents.  Contact: 888-SAFE-SPOT (888-723-3776) WhatsApp: 876-439-5199 Instagram and Snapshat: @safespotja, Bandera México Mexico, Línea de emergencias (Emergency line) Contact: 9-1-1, Bandera de Nicaragua Nicaragua, Ministerio de la Familia (Family Ministry) Contact: Line 133, Bandera Panamá Panama, Centro de atención ciudadana (Citizen Help Centre) Contact: Phone line 311  Sección de atención primaria del Ministerio Público (Primary Care Section of the Public Ministry's Office) Contact: 520-1047/1053 Secretaría Nacional de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and the Family) Contact: 6378-3466, Bandera Paraguay Paraguay, Fono Ayuda Contact: Line 147 Web, Flag of Suriname Suriname, Línea de ayuda para niños, niñas y adolescentes (Helpline for children and adolescents) The helpline is available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact: 123 toll free phone line WhatsApp +597 850-7038. , Bandera de Trinidad y Tobago Trinidad and Tobago, ChildLine Trinidad and Tobago Contact: 131 y 800-4321, Bandera Uruguay Uruguay, Instituto del niño y adolescente de Uruguay (Uruguayan Institute for Children and Adolescents) Contact: Blue line 0800 5050 Web   Asesoramiento mujeres víctimas de violencia (Counselling for women victims of violence) Contact: 0800 4141 Cell phone: *4141, Bandera de Venezuela Venezuela, Ministerio Público (Public Ministry) Deals with cases of violence against children, adolescents and women Contact: 0800 FISCA 00 (08003472200) Web    

As your child grows, it is likely they are spending more and more time online. There are so many positive things about being online like staying connected with friends and family, pursuing interests, and being part of communities. But it is not always a safe and positive experience for children. Here's how you can help your child maximize all the…, 1. Set clear ground rules, Have honest conversations with your children about who they communicate with and how, and who can see what they post online.  Explain that anything that goes online – pictures, videos, comments, things they share with others and what others post and share with them and about them – leaves behind a trail of information about them. To make sure they…, 2. Use technology to protect them, Check that your child’s device is always updated and running the latest software, and that privacy settings are on and configured to minimize data collection so that people don’t see any information that you don’t want them to see. Help your child learn to keep personal information private. If your privacy settings are not secure, anyone can see…, 3. Spend time with them online, Create opportunities for your child to have safe and positive online interactions with friends, family and you. Connecting with others can be an excellent opportunity for you to model kindness and empathy in virtual interactions. Help your child recognize and avoid misinformation and disinformation, age-inappropriate content and content that can…, 4. Model healthy online habits, Promote positive online behaviour by practicing it yourself. Be mindful of the example you set and what you share online about your child, including their photos and videos. Encourage your child to be kind online and to support friends and family by sending positive messages or emojis. If they have classes online, encourage them to be respectful…, 5. Let them have fun and express themselves, Spending time online can be a great opportunity for your children to be creative, learn, use their voices to share their views and support causes that are important to them. Encourage your child to use resources on the internet to help them get up and get moving, like online exercise videos for children and video games that require physical…

Authorities, gathered in Chile for the Santiago 2024 Education Ministerial at the end of January, agreed to work to recover what was lost during the pandemic and to transform educational systems. They emphasized the importance of sustainable funding, innovative policies, and inclusive and resilient strategies to move from commitment to action.  In…, Priorities for Progress , Among other topics and agreements, ministers and other authorities reaffirmed in the Declaration the importance of addressing gaps in access to and quality of education and underscored the fundamental role of teaching staff. They emphasized the need to prioritize training and professional development of educators and to adopt evidence-based…

This research brief summarizes what is already known about child marriage and early unions (CMEUs) in the Caribbean, complemented by the findings of research commissioned by UNICEF in the framework of the Spotlight Initiative Caribbean Regional Programme and conducted in six Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname…, Diciembre 2023, RESEARCH BRIEF: CHILD MARRIAGE AND EARLY UNIONS IN THE CARIBBEAN CONTENTS Acknowledgements Acronyms Introduction Section 1: Child Marriage and Early Unions in the Caribbean 1.1 CMEU in context 1.1.1 CMEU definitions 1.1.2 Laws on consent and marriage in the Caribbean 1.1.3 CMEU rates and age of sexual debut in the Caribbean: existing data 1.1.4…

PORT-AU-PRINCE, 8 February 2024 – UNICEF is deeply concerned by recent reports highlighting the violence faced and witnessed by children during the current socio-political events in Haiti. We urge all stakeholders to ensure that children are protected, regardless of their situation. Protecting children should be the priority. UNICEF calls on…

PORT-AU-PRINCE/NEW YORK, January 29, 2024 –The surge in armed violence across Haiti has triggered a profound humanitarian crisis, with the number of internally displaced children soaring to 170,000. This alarming figure represents a twofold increase from last year, highlighting the rapidly deteriorating situation and its deep impact on the country…

This brief focuses on strengthening regional intergovernmental institutions to improve the delivery of essential services for family violence survivors, and addresses service gaps by examining the intersections between VAW and VAC. Its aim is to enhance collaboration among service providers for women and children who have experienced violence and…

This implementation guidance is a practical 12-page guide on the gender competencies that frontline health providers, police, educators, and social workers need to strengthen to address violence against women and girls. It includes general gender competencies for all and then specific gender competencies for each frontline worker, ensuring that…

On Thursday, January 25, 2024, the "Ministerial Meeting of Education, Santiago 2024" began, which aims to design an agenda of actions to overcome the educational crisis caused by the pandemic. This meeting of ministers of Education and of Finance from Latin America and the Caribbean is organized by the UNESCO Regional Multisectoral Office in…, Governance and Resources for Education, In the discussion sessions of the "Ministerial Meeting of Education, Santiago 2024," authorities will address three key issues for the sector: the challenge of educational reactivation, the transformation of teaching to guarantee the right to education, and the financing required for these public policies. To contribute to this debate, ECLAC ,…, Youth make their voices heard , At the ministerial meeting, young people from Latin America and the Caribbean also raised their voices on the learning crisis that puts their future and the right to education of millions of children, adolescents and youth at risk.  A group of young people shared an Open letter from young people: Towards transformative education open letter to the…