What Codeni is
The Municipal Office for the Rights of Children and Adolescents (Codeni), part of the Municipality of Asunción, centralizes technical, legal, psychological and protective assistance for children and adolescents through municipal centers and hotlines. The service provides free guidance, verifies complaints, supports families and refers cases requiring judicial intervention to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents or the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The network handles situations including neglect, lack of care, physical violence, suspected or confirmed sexual abuse, school bullying, school dropout, vulnerability on the streets and exposure to nighttime work environments. Professionals, especially lawyers and psychologists, also conduct in-person checks, including during nighttime shifts, and monitor the progress of cases.
Services and hours
The centers are open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Free psychological assistance at the municipal headquarters is offered twice a week. Codeni also holds talks and workshops in schools and communities on preventing violence and sexual abuse, children’s rights, school bullying and positive parenting.
Where Codeni provides assistance
The central office is on the first floor of Block C of the Municipality of Asunción, at 5556 Mariscal López Avenue, on the corner of Capitán Bueno. The 11 reference points are:
- Municipal Center No. 1 Ita Yvate: Atenas between Colón and Montevideo, Tacumbú neighborhood. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Municipal Center No. 2 Oñondivepa: 3621 8 de Junio, on the corner of Sgto. Martínez, Fátima de Santísima Trinidad neighborhood. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Municipal Center No. 3 Jopoi: 271 Mencia de Sanabria, at Yataity Corá. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Municipal Center No. 4 Mburucuyá: Asunción Bus Station, Dr. Fernando de la Mora Avenue and República Argentina Avenue. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Municipal Center No. 5 Ko’etí: Plaza de la Democracia, on Oliva and Independencia Nacional streets. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Municipal Center No. 6 Jerutí: 554 Dr. Juan León Mallorquín, between La Conquista and Isabel La Católica, Sajonia neighborhood. 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Municipal Center No. 7 Marangatu: Gral. Santos between Intendentes Militares, Las Mercedes neighborhood. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Municipal Center No. 9 Ñasaindy: Tte. Claudio Acosta, on the corner of Calle No. 14, Zeballos Cué neighborhood. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Municipal Center No. 10 Ñepytyvó Jovái: Tomás Romero Pereira and Ka’avovei, Jukyty neighborhood, in the Cerro Lambaré area. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Felipa y Valentina Cultural Center: Mandyjupecua and Semidei, Loma Pytá neighborhood. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Codeni office at the Abasto Market: Block B, behind the Administration, Defensores del Chaco Avenue and Pykasu. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The structure also includes the Comprehensive Care Centers (CAI) and the CAI Mercado de Abasto and CAI Tacumbú (Tapytami) day-care centers, as well as the Municipal Workshop for Children’s Expression and Development (Tedim), at the municipal headquarters. The San Felipe Dining Hall in Chacarita, the Pelopincho Dining Hall and two municipal schools recognized by the Ministry of Education and Sciences are also part of the network.
Complaints and referrals
Inquiries and complaints can be made by calling (021) 610-579 and (021) 310-429, the Children’s Directorate, or the free 147 hotline of the Ministry of Children and Adolescents (MINNA), the body responsible for national policies for children and adolescents. By law, all complaints are strictly anonymous and confidential.
Codeni conducts the initial assessment and determines the referral based on the seriousness of the case: follow-up through the municipal network, contacting the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents, notifying the Public Prosecutor’s Office or coordinating with MINNA.