Child protection

Action

Protection concerns such as domestic violence, trafficking, institutionalization of children, juvenile justice and the provision of basic social services for returnee, minority and marginalized children require an effective network of well-trained social workers, police, judiciary, health and educational professionals working within a clear policy and legal framework.

UNICEF supports the joint training of these various professionals to identify and respond to children’s protection needs and to develop a coherent policy and legal framework. UNICEF also provides financial and material support to selected Centers for Social Work, NGOs and professionals involved in child protection.

Particularly focusing on children, UNICEF provides support to government counterparts in implementing the National Plan of Action Against Trafficking, assessing the existing policy regulations and setting the standards in treatment and care for the victims.

UNICEF has supported improved protection of children and women from gender-based violence, child abuse, exploitation, and trafficking by strengthening the policy environment and building the capacity of government and NGO to provide critical services. UNICEF’s child rights approach aims to build a protective environment for all children, especially the vulnerable groups - trafficked, suffering from abuse or neglect, victims of family violence, and orphaned children.

The main focus of the project Child-friendly Services, implemented in partnership with BIH by HealthNet International, is to develop child-friendly approach in basic health and social services (pediatric hospitals and residential care) in order to improve quality of care for children in institutions when placement and/or hospitalization is unavoidable, and to promote non-institutional types of care (community/family based care).