Experts of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Commend Peru on Birth Registration Rates, Ask Questions on High Number of Missing Children and on Sexual Violence against Children in Condorcanqui Province
The Committee on the Rights of the Child today concluded its review of the combined sixth and seventh periodic report of Peru, with Committee Experts commending the State on the birth registration rates, while raising questions on the high number of missing children and the prevalence of sexual violence against children, particularly in Condorcanqui province.
Luis Ernesto Pedernera Reyna, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Coordinator, said Peru had come a long way when it came to birth registration and should be commended for this.
Philip Jaffe, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said around 700 to 800 children between 12 and 17 years were reported as missing every month of 2024, which was very concerning. How was the State responding to this shocking situation and what was being done to locate missing children? While there was an Amber alert mechanism, allegedly the police were reluctant to trigger it. Could more context to the phenomenon of disappearances be provided, and what was being done at the highest level of government to address it? How could a more responsive judicial system and police be obtained?
Mr. Jaffe also asked what was being done to address sexual violence, especially in rural areas, and to protect indigenous girls in particular? The Committee had heard of many longstanding sexual violence cases occurring in the district of Condorcanqui and other remote regions, and the lack of intervention of the formal judicial system. The Ombudsman’s Office had documented over 500 cases of sexual abuse committed by teachers in this region. Were there any improvements being made in the training of police, prosecutors, judges, and social workers with regard to cases in which children were victims of sexual violence?
The delegation said in 2024, 9,545 cases of disappeared children and adolescents were reported; 5,057 of those children had been found. In light of the promulgation of the legislative decree 1603, a greater number of instruments were available to address these disappearances. Training had been provided to more than 2,000 police officers on disappeared persons and human trafficking. A modality had been created called “Find Yourself” that targeted children and adolescents in schools. This gave them an opportunity to speak up on risks faced by themselves or their classmates on disappearances, with a focus on the online risks.
The delegation said the cases of sexual abuse did not only happen within schools in the Condorcanqui area, but also within the family. Fifteen per cent of cases had occurred within the school environment. A standard had been issued, where any teacher facing allegations of sexual abuse would be immediately removed from any school in the country. The multisectoral mission had taken steps to deliver services to children in Condorcanqui. The "Intersectoral Action Plan to address sexual violence against children and adolescents in the province of Condorcanqui, Amazonas" served as a guide for monitoring priority actions intended to address and curb sexual violence in the region.
Ángela Teresa Hernández Cajo, Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations of Peru and head of the delegation, presenting the report, said in 2021, the Peruvian Government adopted the National Multisectoral Policy for Children and Adolescents, until 2030. As a result of the programme, by 2023, eight out of 10 pregnant women served by the Ministry of Health had received five or more prenatal check-ups; seven out of 10 children under one year of age had received full basic vaccinations; nine out of 10 children between three and five years old were enrolled in the education system; and eight out of 10 adolescents aged 17 and 18 had completed secondary education. Peru had implemented concrete actions to address sexual violence, including by the strengthening of specialised, interdisciplinary, and free services, such as the National Aurora Programme, and the launch of the Multisectoral Strategy "Prevent to Protect" in November 2024.
In closing remarks, Mr. Pedernera Reyna thanked the delegation for the dialogue. Peru had major challenges, including violence against children and related impunity. The Committee was committed to cooperating with Peru to address these challenges.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Hernández Cajo said the State was fully aware of the challenges which lay ahead. The structural discrimination which weighed heavily on children was gradually shifting in the country. The Government would continue to ensure that this mindset was eradicated. Ms. Hernández Cajo thanked the Committee for the dialogue, which underscored that children were a priority.
The delegation of Peru was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion; the Ministry of Labour and Employment Promotion; the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Culture; the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status; the National Youth Centres Programme; and the Permanent Mission of Peru to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here. The programme of work of the Committee’s ninety-eighth session and other documents related to the session can be found here.
The Committee will next meet in public at 3. p.m. on Wednesday, 22 January, to begin its consideration of the combined fourth to seventh periodic report of Gambia (CRC/C/GMB/4-7).
Report
The Committee has before it the combined sixth and seventh periodic report of Peru (CRC/C/PER/6-7).
Presentation of Report
ÁNGELA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ CAJO, Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations of Peru and head of the delegation, said the report before the Committee had formally integrated the voices and opinions of Peruvian children and adolescents through the Consultative and Participatory Councils for Children and Adolescents.
Several legislative and administrative advancements had been made regarding children and adolescents, including: the law on the promotion of the safe and responsible use of information and communication technologies by children and adolescents; the act establishing the procedural parameters and guarantees to ensure the best interests of the child as a priority in all processes, procedures and other actions of the State or private entities; the legislative decree for the protection of children and adolescents without parental care; the Code of Criminal Responsibility for Adolescents; the law prohibiting the marriage of persons under 18 years of age; and the law that established measures for cases of disappearance of people in vulnerable situations.
Peru had adopted several actions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and prioritise the wellbeing of children, including through the 'I learn at home' strategy, which guaranteed educational continuity through accessible media such as television, radio and the internet. Laws were also approved, including for the delivery of economic assistance for orphaned children and adolescents during the COVID-19 health emergency, a policy that not only addressed the devastating impact of the pandemic, but was expanded to support orphans in poverty. It currently benefitted 103,644 orphans, ensuring their well-being and protection until they reached the age of majority, with continuous monitoring of their families.
In 2021, the Peruvian Government adopted the National Multisectoral Policy for Children and Adolescents, until 2030. As a result of the programme, by 2023,
eight out of 10 pregnant women served by the Ministry of Health had received five or more prenatal check-ups; seven out of 10 children under one year of age had received full basic vaccinations; nine out of 10 children between three and five years old were enrolled in the education system; and eight out of 10 adolescents aged 17 and 18 had completed secondary education.
Peru had implemented concrete actions to address sexual violence, including by the strengthening of specialised, interdisciplinary and free services, such as the National Aurora Programme, and the launch of the Multisectoral Strategy "Prevent to Protect" in November 2024, which aimed to significantly reduce the prevalence of sexual violence and strengthen the integral well-being of children and adolescents, ensuring them a safer and more protective environment for their development. Peru had specialised services to provide protection and care for children and adolescents, including 433 Women's Emergency Centres; 25 Special Protection Units; 1,711 Municipal Ombudsmen's Offices for Children and Adolescents; 240 residential shelters for children and adolescents without parental care; and 316 education and day care services.
Cases of sexual violence in the province of Condorcanqui in the Amazonas region was a serious issue which had generated multidimensional challenges. In August 2024, the Government approved the "Intersectoral Action Plan to address sexual violence against children and adolescents in the province of Condorcanqui, Amazonas", which included a set of actions in five key axes: health, education, protection, participation, and intergovernmental articulation. This was a comprehensive response aimed to eradicate violence and guarantee a safe future for children and adolescents in the region. Ms. Hernández Cajo concluded by stating that the development and well-being of children and adolescents was a key priority for Peru. Peru remained fully committed to reducing gaps in access to their rights, especially in relation to public policy goals.
Questions by Committee Experts
LUIS ERNESTO PEDERNERA REYNA, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Coordinator, said Peru had been wracked by a deep-rooted institutional crisis, which had led to the removal of a President in the recent past. What had the country done to ensure these crises had a limited impact on the wellbeing of children and adolescents in the country? The legislative changes shared had been positive. However, there were many draft pieces of legislation before the National Congress which violated the provisions of the Convention, which was concerning. This included legislation which allowed parents to select what their children learnt at school in relation to sexual health and reproduction. Why was the executive not pushing back against these draft bills and legislation to ensure a focus on children and adolescents?
The National Multisectoral Policy for Children and Adolescents 2021-2030 was a positive and welcome step taken by Peru. Who headed up and led the strategy? What steps were in place to monitor its success? What was the budget allocated to the policy? Peru had made efforts to increase the budget allocation in areas such as education and health. Given the structural violence inherent in the country, would the State consider increasing the budget relating to child protection measures? How was investment in children and adolescents monitored? There were concerns when it came to data, as it was not properly disaggregated by age, language and ethnicity. What was being done to rectify this? Was there an intent to craft a single registry? What was the impact of the partisan political situation on the appointment of the Ombudsman? How was the success of the Children and Adolescents Board being assessed?
What steps were being taken to ensure that private investment in projects such as the Chancay port went hand in hand with social development policies? What measures were being taken to address discrimination suffered by indigenous and migrant children? Following the dismissal of the President, a new President was appointed which saw mass protests, and a subsequent State-enacted state of emergency. As a result of violent clashes, seven children had died. Children had reported being beaten, had tear gas used against them, and some even thrown from helicopters. Against these grim events, what steps had been taken to investigate the facts, to assign accountability, to prosecute perpetrators, and to provide reparations to victims?
The State had come a long way when it came to birth registration and should be commended for this. How would the issue of visas for migrant children be addressed? What mechanism would the State take to stop children from being placed in institutions, and ensure that the prevention of family separation was at the core of their policies?
PHILIP JAFFE, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said violence against children seemed to be an epidemic in Peru. Where were Peruvian children safe? Could statistical disaggregated data on the prevalence of sexual violence against children and adolescents be provided? What was the percentage of girls under 18 who had been sexually abused, and who were the perpetrators? The Committee had heard that sexual abuse was viewed by some as a “cultural practice”. Over 50 per cent of children reported having suffered physical violence in the home. Peru had banned corporal punishment in all settings since 2015 and was a Pathfinder country with the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children, which was a significant commitment. What was being done to implement legal provisions and in particular law no. 30403 and its regulations? Was the State conducting awareness raising campaigns to reduce the percentage of parents who considered physical punishment a legitimate pedagogical approach.
Around 700 to 800 children between 12 and 17 years were reported as missing every month of 2024, which was very concerning. How was the State responding to this shocking situation and what was being done to locate missing children? While there was an Amber alert mechanism, allegedly the police were reluctant to trigger it. Could more context to the phenomenon of disappearances be provided, and what was being done at the highest level of government to address it? How could a more responsive judicial system and police be obtained?
What was being done to address sexual violence, especially in rural areas, and to protect indigenous girls in particular? The Committee had been shocked by the complaint it received under the Optional Protocol on individual communications from a preteen young Peruvian girl, a victim of incestuous rape, who was essentially denied a therapeutic abortion and prosecuted when the pregnancy was involuntarily interrupted. Were there directives in place to avoid such terrible child rights violations and inadequate medical and judicial responses? What support measures had been put in place for these victims?
The Committee had heard of many longstanding sexual violence cases occurring in the district of Condorcanqui and other remote regions, and the lack of intervention of the formal judicial system. The Ombudsman’s Office had documented over 500 cases of sexual abuse committed by teachers in this region. Several sources had indicated that there were multiple hurdles for children and families to bring complaints, and that the police sometimes simply did not accept the complaints or even anecdotally may ask the family itself to conduct the investigation.
Were there any improvements being made in the training of police, prosecutors, judges, and social workers with regard to cases in which children were victims of sexual violence? What was the situation of accusations against members of the clergy? How many cases had been prosecuted and what were their outcomes? How was Peru upscaling the prevention of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children? How far was Peru on the implementation of law 31945? Could the delegation provide information on the prevention of child marriage in vulnerable populations?
How was the Government going to mobilise all the necessary resources, be they human or financial, to fulfil the important pledge that it disclosed at the recent conference in Bogota on ending violence against children? With regard to Peru’s obligations under the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, the Committee would welcome more information with regard to its previous concluding observations, as well as an indication of the adoption of a comprehensive strategy covering all areas of the Optional Protocol? Were there any plans to enact a specific legal disposition criminalising the sale of children that was distinct from the more general trafficking offense?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the information technology system was up and running constantly throughout the pandemic, meaning doctors were able to register live births and issue birth certificates. A digital birth registry app was introduced, which allowed mothers to have access to confirm a live birth from home. Between 2021 and 2024, more than 113,000 birth certificates were generated in this way. There were 168 birth registry offices in State hospitals, enabling mothers to register their children and receive their documents straight away. These services were all free of charge. This had gone a long way to ensuring children were registered at birth and received all necessary documents.
Peru was a vast country with several geographical challenges. For this reason, itinerant clinics and campaigns had been rolled out, visiting the most vulnerable in society and the border regions. These trained staff carried out more than 10,000 visits in 2022, working to provide identification documents. A website had been established which helped mothers name their babies, providing all possible names in different indigenous languages, including what the name meant.
Thanks to the Peruvian law prohibiting adolescents from marrying, in 2024, there was no case recorded of a marriage involving a minor, compared to 161 such marriages recorded in 2023. This indicated the positive impact of the new law. A notice had also been sent to all notaries, reminding them of the consequences of permitting an early marriage, and it was anticipated this had also had an impact on the decrease in cases. In 2024, more than 120,000 service providers were briefed on the law pertaining to marriage for minors through a series of workshops and activities.
The National Multisectoral Policy on Children and Adolescents had ongoing monitoring. In 2025, a census would be conducted, which would ensure more updated data, disaggregated by ethnicity and language. Where the institutionalisation of children did occur, it was intended to be a temporary measure. A campaign was underway to encourage more people to become foster parents. This was another method of avoiding institutionalisation. Work had been carried out to provide training for social workers and financial support for foster families.
The human rights and police framework outlined the treatment of children and other vulnerable persons. Steps had been taken to ensure custodial measures were a last resort. An academic working place had been developed to determine the units of the national police which should undergo cross cutting training on human rights. The Ombudsperson had issued communication on protection for children and adolescents.
There were proposals for 47 public investment programmes to cater for the social needs which were cropping up due to the Chancay port. Offices were set up in the area to improve quality and access for the people of the Chancay port area to these services. Courses had been held for child rights defenders, which had been attended by around 1,800 people. The strategy for childhood helped to lobby local organizations to ensure public areas were safe for children and adolescents.
Questions by Committee Experts
LUIS ERNESTO PEDERNERA REYNA, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Coordinator, asked what measures were being adopted to ensure the migrant population did not bear the brunt of the heightened security situation? Had anybody been held responsible for the deaths of children during the protests? What was the State doing to support children to receive child-appropriate information? How did the State promote access to information through the media? What safeguards were in place to protect children from the media? What measures were being taken by the State to guarantee protection for children in the digital world? Why were children who had been in contact with the law excluded from accessing protection measures? What was being done to prevent abuse within the church?
PHILIP JAFFE, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said it would be interesting to have more information on the public situation which concerned accusations against clergy. How were these cases being treated by the judiciary? There had been cases of abuse reported against vulnerable children in centres by staff members. What guidelines were in place to assess the fitness of the staff who worked in these centres? What kind of supervision was provided to ensure these cases of sexual violence did not occur? The new laws prohibiting child marriage were a big advancement which should be congratulated. Was marriage prohibited under the age of 18 in all cases, or were there still some possible exceptions?
A Committee Expert asked what mechanisms allowed child victims to have access to justice? Could as much information be provided on this as possible? The Expert commended the adoption of several measures to secure public spaces. What was their impact on increasing the safety of public spaces?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said in 2012, there had been violence against the Aawjúng community. A centre for violence had been established in this area, which had dealt with around 490 cases of sexual abuse. The cases of sexual abuse did not only happen within schools in the Condorcanqui area, but also within the family. Fifteen per cent of cases had occurred within the school environment. A standard had been issued, where any teacher facing allegations of sexual abuse would be immediately removed from any school in the country. The multisectoral mission had taken steps to deliver services to children in Condorcanqui.
The "Intersectoral Action Plan to address sexual violence against children and adolescents in the province of Condorcanqui, Amazonas" served as a guide for monitoring priority actions intended to address and curb sexual violence in the region. Training had been conducted for eight health care professionals on sexual and reproductive health, and two professionals had been hired with a background in indigenous health. Courses on HIV/AIDS and Syphilis prevention for 3,000 people in 18 communities had been provided. Community midwives in the region were also provided with specialised training.
Technical assistance had been provided in the field, with the monitoring of 12 boarding school facilities. Eleven staff members had been hired to strengthen the services provided to women’s shelters in Condorcanqui. Steps had been taken to improve infrastructure and facilitate increased access to emergency hotlines until two in the morning. Training had been provided to staff working in the women’s emergency centre in Condorcanqui to allow them to provide timely and specialised care in relation to sexual violence. In five indigenous communities, workshops had been provided on judicial rights, which had a high turnout of women.
In Condorcanqui, the geographical barriers and the high social tolerance for early sexual relationships between children and violence against children, meant there were still significant challenges which needed to be overcome. The Government had rolled out a strategy “Prevent to Protect” which aimed to identity potential risks of violence and sexual violence for children in different settings. This programme had been delivered through agreements signed with local and regional governments to roll out a grassroots approach at the national level. The aim was to change public opinion, including raising awareness of child marriage. There was no exception to the new legislation on child marriage. It was important to ensure that people understood that de facto child marriages were not permitted.
In 2024, 9,545 cases of disappeared children and adolescents were reported; 5,057 of those children had been found. In light of the promulgation of the legislative decree 1603, a greater number of instruments were available to address these disappearances. Training had been provided to more than 2,000 police officers on disappeared persons and human trafficking. A modality had been created called “Find Yourself” that targeted children and adolescents in schools. This gave them an opportunity to speak up on risks faced by themselves or their classmates on disappearances, with a focus on the online risks.
Eighty-five per cent of the children and adolescents disappeared were connected online with people they did not know, and this was highlighted to the students. Criminal trafficking gangs could blackmail children and adolescents with nude photos and videos, putting them at risk of extortion, sexual abuse, trafficking, and femicide. There was a clear need to engage in awareness raising in the whole of society to ensure that everyone could join the prevention effort and identify cases of risk.
There was no exception to the prohibition of child marriage in Peru. The new law stated that no one under the age of 18 could enter into marriage. The previous exception of 16 years had been withdrawn. Work had been carried out to address the needs of migrant children and adolescents, allowing them to receive a migrants card to remain in Peru. If a child was born on Peruvian territory, they were automatically considered Peruvian. In Peru, nobody was prevented from having access to health care before they were a migrant. Any child born in Peru had automatic access to health care services. Anyone with temporary residency also had access to health care services.
Questions by Committee Experts
PHILIP JAFFE, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said Peru was the first country in its region to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the country had put in place some robust legislation and decrees regarding persons with disabilities, including its excellent law 30797 of 2018 on the promotion of inclusive education. Where was the definitive data relating to children with disabilities? Could the State party provide the Committee with all the disaggregated data requested in the list of issues, under paragraph 39? What was the number of children with disabilities who had reported violence and abuse, including sexual violence, the number of investigations and prosecutions carried out, and the sentences imposed on perpetrators?
What would be done to reduce the urban and rural gap which added to other forms of discrimination that children with disabilities and their families experienced? What measures were being taken to provide timely health care, early diagnostic efforts, and intervention programmes? How were children with disabilities able to access the National Disability Registry? What was the education policy and progress made towards the inclusion of children with disabilities? Were there any policies or programmes in place for children with autism?
ANN SKELTON, Committee Chair and Country Taskforce Member, asked what plans were in place to reduce anaemia, and ensure equal access to primary and specialised health care services for all children? In the Views adopted by the Committee in 2023, in the case Camila v Peru, the Committee requested Peru to ensure access to legal and safe abortion services for pregnant girls; ensure that post-abortion services were available, secure and accessible; and ensure the availability and effective access of children to sexual and reproductive health information and services. What concrete actions had the Government taken to address these specific requests made by the Committee? What plans, programmes and budgets had the Government implemented to ensure the availability of safe abortion services and post-abortion care, particularly in rural areas and the Amazon region? A bill was issued in 2024 that recognised that parents had the right to choose how their children would receive comprehensive sexual education. What was the aim of this?
Peru had still not complied with the Committee’s views regarding the decriminalisation of abortion in all cases of child pregnancies and the guarantee of access to legal and safe abortion services for pregnant girls. There was also resistance among the medical community to perform abortions, discouraging doctors from performing therapeutic abortions. What training had been provided to health, educational, and judicial personnel, including the Public Prosecutor's Office, regarding the application and interpretation of legislation on therapeutic abortion?
In the case of Camila v Peru, the Committee requested effective reparation to Camila, including adequate compensation for the harm suffered and support to enable her to rebuild her life, including pursuing her studies. What progress had been made toward fulfilling this obligation?
What were the State’s plans to address the increase in depression and suicide in recent years? The Committee had received information that since 2019, an additional 3.3 million individuals lived in poverty in Peru. What measures was the Government taking to combat poverty, and in particular extreme poverty in the country? What measures had been taken to ensure that all children were adequately fed? What were the plans to ensure 100 per cent of the country had access to clean drinking water and sanitation? Did social protection policies cover families and children whose mother tongue was not Spanish?
Peru faced significant environmental challenges; the country's biodiversity and ecosystems were under threat from mining, deforestation, and oil extraction. What was the status of implementation of the Framework Act on Climate Change of 2018? What measures were being taken to prevent and respond to disasters linked to climate change? In 2022, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights found the Peruvian Government responsible for violating the right to a healthy environment of residents of La Oroya.
Some 99.9 per cent of children under six years old who were tested had high lead levels in their blood in La Oroya. This problem extended to children living in many other areas in Peru, including in the northern Peruvian Amazon, which was deeply concerning. Peru had recently enacted legislation limiting the lead content of paint and other coating materials, which was commendable. What was the progress on the implementation of these laws? What monitoring mechanisms did Peru have to ensure compliance? What measures were being taken to assess and clean up the contaminated areas?
FAITH MARSHALL-HARRIS, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said children in rural areas, indigenous children, and poor children seemed to have difficulties in accessing education. What measures would be put in place to ensure the delivery of education? The Committee had heard that students were subject to assault by teachers who acted with impunity. Were there investigations into teachers who committed these acts? The State should review the early childhood education system, which needed further investment and development. It was vital to ensure comprehensive sexuality education in schools. Peru had accommodated large numbers of children in migration, particularly from Venezuela, Colombia, and Cuba. However, it did not seem like this was a complete process, and documentation was difficult to get, meaning they could not graduate from schools or obtain social protection.
There was a significant problem with street children in Peru. These children were targeted by the police; there needed to be some investment in examining this phenomenon, and an in-depth analysis on how they could be helped. Children were being recruited by violent gangs, which was a significant issue. There were alarming numbers of cases of child labour, including large numbers of children involved in the mining sectors and domestic service. The State should look carefully at how to stop this problem. The strategies were there, but they were not funded adequately or implemented properly. If trafficked minors were rescued, how were they prevented from being re-victimised? There needed to be training for border officials to recognise victims. What measures were being taken to ensure that children were not considered as part of the armed forces before the age of 18? Were there systems of children who were rescued from recruitment into the armed forces and who were fleeing armed conflict?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said public spending on children and adolescents would be analysed. The National Institute for Statistics was gathering information on children and adolescents through various surveys and population censuses. Information provided by sources was confidential. All children and adolescents in Peru enjoyed equality and non-discrimination. To deal with discrimination against migrants, Peru had implemented several measures, including setting up the National Office for Migration. A report was being developed to address any claims of discrimination and xenophobia and provide analysis as to the root causes. There was an effort to integrate migrants by upholding the value of diversity, a message rolled out through social media and media channels.
Following the protests of 2022, economic support had been provided to the families of nine minors who lost their lives and five minors who were injured. Families were also guided towards social support programmes. Several cases were at the preparatory and preliminary stages of trial. A special investigation service was tasked with tackling 17 more complex, emblematic cases.
There were three different branches which ensured migrant students had access to the Peruvian education system. The enrolment of children into the healthcare system was guaranteed for all those studying in public schools. From 2014 to 2024, Peru received a total of 64,000 asylum requests for refugee status, with 90 per cent of requests coming from Venezuelan nationals. There were around 7,000 reports of sexual abuse in 2024, with 60 per cent of these relating to children and adolescents. More than 90 per cent of the victims were female. Specialised emergency centres had been developed to provide women, children, adolescents, and older persons with support. Peru was committed to reducing the high levels of social tolerance of violence in Peru. It was hoped the National Survey of Social Relations, to be published in 2025, would provide more up to date information and reflect a drop in the levels of intolerance.
Services offered comprehensive support to families that were at risk of falling into a violent spiral, with non-violent child rearing practices. Around 15,000 people had been reached by these services. Peru had a preventive strategy “Help” in place which offered support in a variety of circumstances, provided information on violence against women and access to services, and offered an opportunity to create a circle of trust. Since 2010, around 607 teachers and 62 administrative workers who were the subject of complaints of sexual abuse had been referred to the Prosecutor’s Office. Fourteen specialised workshops had been held in cities across Peru to train police officers on dealing with violence against children. Around 4,000 police officials had been trained on cases pertaining to violence against women. Workshops were being developed with the police to renew knowledge on how to report disappearance and ensure swift action was taken.
People seeking asylum and refuge were provided with an asylum seeker identity card. The national migrant monitoring body had adopted a raft of measures to provide support to foreign children and adolescents. As part of the migration agreement, various workshops had been offered which provided information to migrants on the services offered by the monitoring body, allowing those who attended the workshops to pursue the legalisation of their status. These days were mostly attended by vulnerable Venezuelan migrants and members of their families. A safeguard system was in place for unaccompanied minors and adolescents.
Peru had promulgated the artificial intelligence law, with the enacting legislation currently being debated. The law aimed to prevent online abuse and harm. The “Get Online without Risk” strategy aimed to provide information to adolescents, parents and teachers of the possible risks online, focusing on key issues such as cyberbullying, sextortion, and grooming.
A protocol was adopted in 2019 to protect children and adolescents living in residential centres, targeting staff working in the centres. The staff in these centres were responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of children and adolescents under their care. Staff were required to complete courses and ideally have a background in working with children and adolescents, and they were regularly assessed and monitored. Any suspicion of violence would be immediately reported to the police and the Ministry. Special protection units were informed as well as the Attorney General’s Office. Children could be moved to foster families while investigations were underway.
Emergency kits were provided to respond to cases of reported sexual violence, with around 60 per cent of these provided to adolescents. Distribution of the emergency contraception pill had increased significantly, with around 40,000 pills distributed last year. These were provided free of charge. There had been a clear reduction in adolescent pregnancies, from 13 per cent in 2023 to 8 per cent in 2024. Abortion in cases of rape or foetal deformation was not criminalised. A community mental health model had been implemented to provide care to adolescents with mental health concerns and victims of sexual violence.
Peru had developed a multisectoral plan to reduce anaemia which had born positive fruit. Steps had been taken to strengthen vaccine coverage among children and adolescents. Currently, 91 per cent of the population was covered by the public health insurance scheme. Healthcare insurance had been targeting children and adolescents, with 11.5 million children and adolescents now covered by health insurance, an increase from 6.3 million. The State was aiming for a coverage rate of 17.8 million.
In 2020, a series of interventions were rolled out to guarantee the health of those with autism. Via a legislative decree, early detection and prevention schemes for neural disabilities were implemented. A training programme had also been rolled out for those caring for children with mental health disabilities, including autism. This aimed to equip the children with life skills to cope with daily life. As of December 2024, there were around 14,000 children who had been granted a disability certificate. Policies and programmes were in place to address the needs of autistic children and adolescents, including the act adopted which aimed to guarantee the full involvement of this group in society. A national plan for persons on the autism spectrum aimed to improve their quality of life. Two technical in-person meetings had been held to provide training to 137 professional and specialised teachers for basic and special education in the different regions.
Since January 2024, the multisectoral plan for the prevention and reduction of mother and child anaemia had been implemented. The plan established specific steps for sectors for comprehensive health care, sanitation, and investigation.
Peru had a national technical guide for the termination of pregnancy which provided standards for the procedure for voluntary termination for pregnancy for therapeutic reasons, up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. Regarding the Camila case, there could be circumstances which required the intervention of the Ministry of Health.
There was a multisectoral plan for children who had been exposed to toxic chemicals or metals. One axis of the plan aimed to conduct monitoring and oversight for the population which had been exposed. Risk factors for exposure to lead had been identified and those who had been exposed to lead poisoning were given support. The Government also stepped in when there had been some history of exposure, and support was provided as necessary, particularly to the most vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and children.
Questions by Committee Experts
FAITH MARSHALL-HARRIS, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said a bill had been introduced which would empower the State to try children aged 16 and 17 years as adults. This would be limited to cases where there was involvement with criminal gangs. Could an explanation of this be provided? Was legal aid readily available to children and adolescents? Was there any agency supervising the centre for enforcing penalties? It was concerning that migrant children could not graduate without the necessary papers, unless an adult assisted them.
PHILIP JAFFE, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said there were reports that there was a continuous shortage of insulin for children. Was there an action plant to address this? The number of pregnancies for adolescents was decreasing for girls between 15 and 19. However, for 11-14-year-old girls, where pregnancies were usually the result of sexual abuse, the numbers were rising. There needed to be a strong push to have therapeutic abortions respected across the country, as for some of these girls, it was a matter of life or death.
LUIS ERNESTO PEDERNERA REYNA, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Coordinator, asked when information would officially be provided to enact on the Committee’s ruling of the Camila case? Had there been headway made in terms of compensation and remedy? Had the conditions for abortion been adapted to fit the conditions experienced by girls in Peru, as per the Committee’s request? The school meals programme had existed for many years but children had suffered from food poisoning from the meals offered. Had anything been done to prevent cases of food poisoning?
A Committee Expert asked what was being done across the country to avoid child or teen pregnancy? Who was responsible for caring for children who were born due to rape? Could more information be provided about the risks of HIV/AIDS and what was being done to support children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS? What was the number of obstetricians and gynaecologists in the country? Anaemia was a serious concern for mothers, teens, and their babies. What programmes were in place to support children and teens suffering from cancer?
Another Expert asked what was being done to deliver the provisions of the ruling of the lead poisoning when it came to compensation of victims and restoration of the environment?
An Expert asked about the law on de facto relationships of minors; had it been adopted?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said since last year, the National Institute for Statistics had included disability in the household survey. A programme had been created to provide gradual and progressive food support in schools, guaranteeing quality and sustainable food and eliminating the issues of the previous programme. It aimed to have universal coverage and reach all schools. The programme reached around four million students in around 64,000 schools across the country. The law prohibited marriage for those under 18. A bill would be drafted so that this included de facto unions.
The Street Educators Service aimed to teach children and adolescents on the street about their rights. This initiative took place in 152 areas across the country, with the participation of 166 street educators. In 2024, there had been a significant drop in those living in the streets, due to the service. The work took place within the community to guarantee the rights of these children and adolescents without having to resort to institutionalisation.
There were nine youth centres throughout Peru which provided guidance on the administration of justice for children and adolescents. All those deprived of their liberty in Peru were included in the national health insurance scheme. Peru had 57,000 general practitioners in the country and there were around 35,000 midwives. While this was an increase, it fell short of the needs of the country. There were programmes to try and address the lack of doctors, including the dual-employment policy, so doctors could take up another form of employment, and the State had also been attracting doctors from other countries. It was hoped these tactics would help plug the gaps in the workforce.
A programme was in place which afforded a comprehensive care package to those with HIV/AIDS, including migrants and foreign nationals. Regarding cancer in children, there were many standards in place. Peru had set aside a portion of the budget devoted to cancer and was exploring norms and standards for treating children’s cancer. There had been huge vaccination coverage in Peru to try and eradicate cervical cancer. Anaemia was a reality in the country; there had been a spike in the metropolitan area and it was hoped the State could address this problem.
In Peru, work in the mines for children under 18 was prohibited. The Government was assessing how to calculate the relevant compensation in the Camila case.
Questions by Committee Experts
FAITH MARSHALL-HARRIS, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Member, said the coverage for the school feeding programme was quite low, which was confusing, as Peru was one of the world’s leading producers of food. Given this, why did children not have a good school feeding programme? This needed to be addressed.
A Committee Expert asked what the rate of birth registration was in the country? Had all children received at least one vaccination?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said a new school feeding programme was being rolled out in 2025 to overcome the problems experienced in the previous programme. The new programme would be increased to cover all schools. Almost 99 per cent of people in Peru had a national identification card, covered by the registry. This was part of the reason that the country had been so successful when it came to health insurance coverage. If someone turned up to a hospital without a document, they would not be denied health care, but it would be flagged in the system. Peru had high levels of vaccine coverage in the country, due to herculean efforts made by professionals in the health care sector and the Government. The State had been commended by the Pan American Health Organization for this achievement. Therapeutic abortion was a sensitive topic; the Government aimed to ensure that the health of the woman or girl was never put at risk.
Closing Remarks
LUIS ERNESTO PEDERNERA REYNA, Committee Expert and Country Taskforce Coordinator, thanked the delegation for the dialogue. The purpose of the dialogue was to encourage progress in the implementation of the Convention and understand the challenges of the country and see how they could be overcome. Peru had major challenges, including violence against children and related impunity. The Committee was committed to cooperating with Peru to address these challenges.
ÁNGELA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ CAJO, Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations of Peru and head of the delegation, said Peru was committed to upholding its obligations under the Convention. The State was fully aware of the challenges which lay ahead. The structural discrimination which weighed heavily on children was gradually shifting in the country. The Government would continue to ensure that this mindset was eradicated. Prevention was understood as the most effective tool for protecting children and adolescents. Ms. Hernández Cajo thanked the Committee for the dialogue, which underscored that children were a priority.
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CRC25.006E