Luanda: The National Children’s Institute (INAC) has reported a staggering 26,386 cases of violence against children from January to October this year, revealed INAC director Paulo Kalesi on Thursday. Kalesi shared these alarming statistics during the presentation of the Action Plan for the ‘We Are All Equal’ Campaign, chaired by the First Lady of the Republic, Ana Dias Lourenço.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Kalesi noted that while the number of cases has been decreasing year on year, there is still significant concern regarding the nature of these violent acts. The majority of reported cases, a total of 11,748, involved issues related to paternity leave, followed by 5,363 instances of child labor, and 3,215 cases of physical and psychological violence. Other reported incidents included 1,315 cases of sexual violence, 823 cases of neglect, 746 custody disputes, 566 child abandonment cases, 98 accusations of witchcraft, and 48 homicides.
Kalesi emphasized the necessity for enhanced intervention cap
abilities and better training for professionals to provide more compassionate and specialized support to the victims. “Just to give you an idea, 80 or 90% of cases of violence happen within the family and by the people who should be the children’s defenders and protectors,” he remarked, highlighting the critical need for improved family dynamics and child safeguarding measures.
The INAC director also advocated for reviewing and intensifying the penal framework as a means of discouraging such practices and reinforcing the importance of child protection. The newly presented Action Plan for the ‘We Are All Equal’ campaign, under the motto ‘Education for Gender Equality and the Fight against Child and Youth Violence,’ follows a commitment made during the campaign’s launch on August 9, 2024.
The ceremony was attended by a diverse group of participants, including representatives from the Ministries of Social Action, Family and Promotion of Women, Justice and Human Rights, Interior, Health, Education, Youth and Sp
orts, Public Administration, Labour and Social Security. Members of the Angolan Executive, the National Assembly, Non-Governmental Organizations, ecclesiastical entities, and Civil Society were also present, signifying a united front in tackling the issue of violence against children in Angola.