Zambia is set to host the 11th International Consultation of Child Helplines Conference, a landmark event that brings together global experts and stakeholders to discuss critical issues affecting children’s well-being.
The conference, themed “Children at The Centre: A Global Voice for Mental Health, Violence Prevention, and Response,” will take place in Livingstone from June 24th to 26th, 2025, with over 300 delegates from more than 130 countries expected to be in attendance
Speaking during a media breakfast for the 11th International Consultations of Child Helplines Conference, Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Doreen Mwamba acknowledged that children across the globe, suffer in silence and face increasing threats to their mental well-being and personal safety, whether from violence, neglect, or trauma.
She expressed optimism that the conference will challenge stakeholders to change the narrative and respond more effectively to strengthen child helpline services, build more responsive mental health systems, enhance violence prevention strategies and leverage technology to protect and empower children.
“Let Zambia stand not only as a host but as a leader in child protection, mental health advocacy, and violence prevention and let us build a world where no child suffers in silence but where every child is heard, helped, and healed”, Ms. Mwamba emphasized.
The Minister further urged the media to play an active role in raising awareness about the child helpline services available to children in distress and highlight stories that remind the nation and the World of the urgency of child protection.
She highlighted that the media needs to play a critical role in influencing policy, by bringing child-focused issues into the national and global spotlight.
And speaking at the same event, Child Helpline Zambia Executive Director, Ms. Florence Nkhuwa assured that the conference will ignite dynamic discussions, to developing powerful partnerships, and to exploring innovative solutions to the many challenges faced in promoting the welfare of children.
“We will explore how we can strengthen our child helplines and integrate them more deeply into child protection systems around the World”, Ms. Nkhuwa assured.
