A Conversation with Dr. Daniela Ligiero: Ending Childhood Violence
By Armelle Déjoie
Growing up in Haiti, childhood violence was a common sight, particularly due to the restavèk (meaning “stay with”) system in which children from poor families are sent to live with strangers for a chance at opportunities not afforded by rural life. The unfortunate reality is that for most of these restavèk, little attention is given to their studies; rather, they are used for menial and household labor, and they are often physically, emotionally, and sexually abused. Dr. Daniela Ligiero’s talk and professional background reminded me of the realities of 61% of girls and 57% of boys living in Haiti, and the many more around the world, who face physical as well as other manifestations of violence.
The conversation with Dr. Ligiero began with an overview of her path to her current role as executive director and CEO of Together for Girls. In speaking about her experience at UNICEF Brazil, she stressed the importance of sexual reproductive health education in adolescents as a means of decreasing rates of sexual violence and HIV. This initiative sought to break the cycle of violence by restoring value in children and adolescents and by providing means of coping with victimhood. Beyond that, however, Dr. Ligiero underscored the need to eliminate the sentiment that childhood violence is some distant issue with no consequence on our lives and nuclear communities. In fact, what makes violence perpetrated against children so heartbreaking is how commonplace it is, no matter the profile of the area one inhabits. Dr. Ligiero quoted Malala Yousafzai, a young activist for female education, regarding the importance of having victims of childhood violence and advocates speak up in order to bring about change: “When the entire world is silent, even one voice can be powerful.” The conversation around childhood violence should adopt a narrative that acknowledges the severity of the issue but also the role each individual has in bringing it to an end.
Even though I have witnessed the emotional and psychological impacts of childhood violence, I often catch myself feeling removed from the issue and, often, complacent about future endeavors to engage in efforts against such tragedies. However, I must stress Dr. Ligiero’s comment that working with children and trying to make a change requires that we start early. Importantly, we must strive at every given opportunity to challenge the cultural, political, and economic structures that justify violence against children and women. In fact, one of the seven strategies listed by the World Health Organization to end childhood violence is the restructuring of norms and values that are both harmful and restrictive. After all, a child’s future and wellbeing cannot wait until we feel comfortable enough to speak against injustice.
With a Ph.D. in Counseling and Community Psychology, Dr. Ligiero has a knack for science, which she has integrated into her passion for working with children. However, she also recognizes that data alone cannot bring about this change the world so badly needs: not only the end to childhood violence but to all injustices. Possibly the element that makes any movement powerful is personal stories and voices. Thus, as allies and advocates, it is also our duty to propel these and provide platforms through which these voices can be heard.
Armelle Déjoie (COL ‘20) is a third-year undergraduate at Georgetown University studying Biology of Global Health and French.
This blog was written by a student in Georgetown’s Conversations in Global Health course, which brings leaders in global health to Georgetown to discuss their careers and work.