Evidence-based parenting programmes have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing violence against children, strengthening family environments, and enhancing child well-being - yet scaling these interventions remains a persistent challenge. Despite global commitments to expand parenting support — including pledges made at the 2024 Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá — few countries have translated these commitments into sustainable, large-scale action.
This policy brief highlights what it takes to build a world where every parent is equipped to protect their children and support their health, safety, and development. It explores practical strategies to bridge the gap between commitment and implementation. Drawing on global, regional, and humanitarian insights, it identifies key enablers and barriers to scale, including financing, system integration, contextual adaptation, and cross sector collaboration. It also underscores the importance of grounding policy and practice in robust evidence.
Key recommendations include:
- designing parenting programmes with scale in mind;
- integrating parenting support into existing national systems;
- adopting gender-transformative approaches and addressing intimate partner violence as well as VAC;
- strengthening intersectoral and government-NGO partnerships;
- leveraging research to inform decision-making.
The importance of engaging faith-based organisations, adapting programmes for humanitarian contexts, and securing sustainable, diversified funding is also highlighted.
