February 12 is more than a symbolic date, it is a global call to protect children and adolescents from recruitment and violence. Across Latin America, many young people continue to face risks that threaten their safety, development, and future opportunities.
At the Pan-American Development Foundation (PADF), we work alongside communities, institutions, and youth to strengthen prevention systems and create safer environments where children can thrive. This year, in observance of International Red Hand Day, our regional initiatives in Colombia and Ecuador demonstrated how coordinated, community-centered action can translate into tangible protection outcomes.
Regional Impact at a Glance
- 19 municipalities engaged in youth-led prevention activities in Colombia
- 19 school murals created to promote safe spaces and awareness
- 39 public officials trained to strengthen coordinated child protection responses
- 60 community members mobilized in local prevention activities in Manta, Ecuador
- Cross-sector collaboration activated across schools, local governments, universities, and civil society organizations
Colombia: Community Leadership and Institutional Strengthening
In the subregions of Bajo Cauca and Montes de María, PADF supported youth and community-led initiatives that transformed public spaces into platforms for prevention and awareness.
Painting the Future
Students in grades 9 through 11 created 19 murals across participating municipalities. Beyond beautification, these murals serve as visible community commitments to child protection, reinforcing schools as safe environments where recruitment and violence are not tolerated.
Voices of the Territory
Through immersive radio programming, community members engaged with the realities and risks facing youth. This initiative strengthened collective awareness and encouraged shared responsibility for prevention and early action.
Strengthening Institutional Response
In Antioquia, PADF convened 39 public officials to align protocols and improve interinstitutional coordination. The training focused on the critical first 36 hours following a child’s recovery from armed groups, a period when timely, coordinated action is essential for effective protection and reintegration.
Together, these efforts helped bridge community engagement with institutional readiness, reinforcing both prevention and response capacities.
Ecuador: Building National Momentum for Youth Protection
On February 12, 2026, Ecuador officially joined the global Red Hand Day movement for the first time, marking a significant milestone in national efforts to protect children and adolescents.
Guayaquil: Partnerships for Prevention
At Casa Grande University, representatives from academia and government signed an Intersectoral Commitment Agreement, strengthening collaboration across sectors. Cultural expressions led by the Batucada Popular and urban art groups reinforced the role of social cohesion as a protective factor against criminal recruitment.
Esmeraldas: Community Commitment in Action
At the Velasco Ibarra Educational Unit, children, educators, and local authorities placed red handprints on a collective mural — a public pledge to safeguard the life projects and futures of young people. The activity promoted dialogue between youth and institutions, strengthening trust and shared responsibility.
Manta and Machala: Local Mobilization
In the La Pradera neighborhood of Manta, 60 participants gathered to “draw the future,” using art and dialogue to promote peaceful alternatives for youth. In Machala, reflection and collective action at Simón Bolívar School encouraged communities to adopt practical strategies for preventing violence and protecting childhood.
These activities established new partnerships and laid the groundwork for sustained prevention efforts at the local level.
The PADF Approach: Turning Commitment into Sustainable Impact
PADF’s regional strategy combines technical expertise, cross-sector coordination, and community participation to ensure that child protection efforts are both effective and sustainable. By strengthening local institutions while empowering youth and communities, we help build protection networks that endure beyond a single campaign or event.
Our work demonstrates that targeted, community-based investments can reduce vulnerability, strengthen institutional capacity, and create safer environments for children across borders.
“We did not gather simply to fulfill an agenda, but to raise a collective voice: Enough. The lives and rights of our youth must be at the center of everything we do.”
As PADF expands these initiatives across the region, continued collaboration will be essential to ensuring that every child grows up protected, heard, and empowered. Every raised red hand represents not only a symbol of solidarity, but a shared commitment to peace, dignity, and opportunity for generations to come.