The Maldives has joined an international effort to end violence against children by signing the Bogotá Call to Action.

Health Minister Geela Ali signed the declaration on Tuesday, reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to protecting children from violence and promoting a safe and supportive environment for their development.

The Bogotá Call to Action was adopted as the main political outcome of the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, held in Bogotá, Colombia, in November 2024.

The declaration calls for stronger and coordinated action to protect children, including improving laws and policies, addressing risks that contribute to violence and strengthening cooperation between governments and other stakeholders.

At the signing ceremony, Minister Geela highlighted the importance of maintaining long-term and sustainable efforts to achieve meaningful progress in preventing violence against children.

The Maldives government said signing the declaration demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that children are protected from violence and are able to grow up in safe, supportive and empowering environments.

The Bogotá Call to Action also encourages countries to speed up the implementation of measures that have been shown to prevent and reduce violence against children.

Through the declaration, participating countries commit to strengthening efforts to protect children's rights and well-being and to improving coordination in addressing different forms of violence affecting children.