A Decade of INSPIRE – Evidence in Action to End Violence Against Children

Dr. Greta Massetti is Professor and Chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences at Georgia State University, where she leads the INSPIRE Evidence Lab. Greta’s work addresses the epidemiology of violence against children, women, and girls, and the role of violence as a driver of infectious and chronic diseases. Greta is the global co-chair of the INSPIRE Working Group, a global collaborative to strengthen evidence informed policy to prevent and respond to violence against children.

Dr Madison Little is a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention, University of Oxford. His research examines the effectiveness of interventions to reduce and prevent violence against children, including through packaged cash-plus parenting programmes. In collaboration with the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, he led the research initiative to update the evidence base on INSPIRE: Seven strategies for ending violence against children. This research synthesised together more than 200 systematic reviews and an estimated 3000 primary studies, the largest analysis of what works to protect children from violence.

Alessandra has worked for the past 30 years in the fields of international development, public health, and violence prevention. She joined Innocenti in 2019 as the Gender and Development Manager to lead a strategic research programme focused on preventing and responding to violence against children and violence against women. Grounded in the understanding that promoting gender equality is essential to protecting children and empowering women, the program emphasizes the intersections between these forms of violence. Previously, Alessandra served as the World Health Organization’s Regional Advisor for the Americas on family violence prevention (2009-2019) and as Senior Advisor, Sexual and Reproductive Health at International Planned Parenthood Federation (1999-2003).

She has held many voluntary positions, including Vice-President of the board of Equimundo (previously Promundo) and co-chair of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative’s Leadership Council, a role she continues to occupy. She was the recipient of a Chevening Scholarship and holds degrees in Public Health (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), Art Therapy (George Washington University) and Fine Arts (George Mason University).

Dr. Daniela Ligiero is the CEO and President of Together for Girls, a global partnership working to end sexual violence against children and adolescents. Together for Girls combines rigorous data and research with survivor-centered advocacy to drive prevention, healing, and justice, increasing political will and mobilizing action to protect children—especially from sexual violence.

Daniela is the founder of the Brave Movement, the world’s largest survivor-led movement to end childhood sexual violence, mobilizing survivors and allies globally to demand legal reform, political accountability, online safety, and justice. Previously, she served as Vice President of Girls and Women’s Strategy at the United Nations Foundation and held senior roles at the U.S. Department of State, where she helped develop the first U.S. global strategy to address gender-based violence and co-designed the PEPFAR DREAMS Partnership. She also held leadership roles at UNICEF and worked in the U.S. Senate.

A survivor herself, Daniela has spoken publicly for nearly two decades to help shatter stigma and drive systemic change. She has received multiple honors, including the U.S. Department of State’s Franklin Award and the Champion for Children Award presented by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden. Daniela holds a doctorate in counseling psychology, is fluent in four languages, and lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and two daughters.

Nicolas Makharashvili is Director of the Safe Futures Hub, a multi-agency initiative co-led by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), Together for Girls, and the WeProtect Global Alliance. The Hub strengthens the global evidence base and accelerates the uptake of effective, scalable solutions to prevent sexual violence against children.

Nicolas brings over 15 years of experience at the intersection of research, policy, and practice. He leads cross-sector partnerships and flagship initiatives that bridge academic evidence and practice-based knowledge to inform global and national efforts to prevent child sexual violence. His work focuses on advancing solutions-oriented approaches, strengthening systems, and supporting countries to adapt and implement evidence in diverse contexts. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health at the City University of New York and holds a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College.

Mr. Deogratias Yiga is a Social Worker by profession, a Human Rights advocate and Development Management Specialist with over 30 years of practice in the field of development management, policy advocacy and CSO governance at regional (Africa) and global level. His areas of thematic focus include; child rights promotion, social protection for vulnerable groups and violence prevention programming

He has previously worked as the Executive Director of the African Network for Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN Uganda Chapter); as Team Leader at Development Links Consult (DLC) and he is currently the Executive Director of an East Africa based development management technical assistance organisation, Impact and Innovations Development Centre (IIDC). He represents IIDC in the INSPIRE Working Group.

In partnership with national child focused organizations he is currently leading an East African learning Initiative on the Prevention of Violence against children including the scale up of evidence-based violence prevention and male engagement programs and models across the region.

Anirbandip Gain, 21, hails from Basirhat in North 24 Parganas, India. With a background in Computer Science from his Higher Secondary education and a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, he brings a diverse skill set and a curious, hands-on approach to learning. Raised in a close-knit and supportive family, he values empathy, resilience, and responsibility. Currently one of the youngest members of SANLAAP, India, Anirbandip is deeply passionate about working with children in need of care and protection. He is driven by a strong desire to connect with them, create safe spaces, and contribute meaningfully to their emotional and social well-being. His long-term aspiration is to work with vulnerable children across the globe and advocate for their safety and rights. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, exploring new places, and seeking out adventurous experiences that broaden his perspective

**Sanlaap is a Kolkata-based organisation working to address and prevent trafficking and violence against women and children, with a special focus on those from vulnerable and marginalised communities. Established in 1987, Sanlaap adopts a comprehensive approach that emphasises prevention, protection, and strengthening of community and institutional systems.

A key area of its work is community-based prevention, where Sanlaap engages with children, adolescents, families, and community stakeholders to build awareness around gender-based violence, child protection, and trafficking risks. Through sustained grassroots engagement, the organisation works to strengthen protective environments, enhance community vigilance, and reduce vulnerabilities that lead to abuse and exploitation. Sanlaap also works closely with a range of stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, child protection systems, healthcare providers, schools, and local governance structures, to strengthen coordinated responses to violence. A strong focus is placed on improving early identification of cases, ensuring timely referrals, and enabling survivor-centred responses through better convergence of services. Through this integrated approach, Sanlaap contributes to building safer communities and strengthening systems that ensure protection, dignity, and justice for women and children.

Dr. Sabine Rakotomalala, a child psychologist with over 25 years of experience in child protection and psychosocial support, works at the WHO’s Violence Prevention Unit. Previously with UNICEF, Terre des hommes, and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, she led major child protection and violence prevention initiatives such as the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Network (2007), the development and implementation of the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (2012), the development and implementation of the INSPIRE: Seven strategies for ending violence against children technical package (2016) and the Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (2025).