UNICEF in action
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© UNICEF/CEE/CIS/ 2004/00027/Pirozzi |
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Abandoned children with disabilities at the Centre for Temporary Placement of Young Children in Chisinau, Moldova. |
A PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL CHILDREN
Protection of children against violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking and deprivation of parental care is essential for every aspect of their survival, growth and development. We support programmes to prevent such violations, and to identify and help their victims. But we go further, working with governments, civil society, individuals and the private sector to build a protective environment around every child. A protective environment shields all children from harm in the same way that good nutrition and health care shield them from disease. This concept is the basis of our child protection strategy. UNICEF programmes across the region aim to strengthen different aspects of the protective environment, helping Governments fulfil their obligations on child protection. We urge them to develop national child protection policies and have helped to bring national child protection legislation into line with international human rights standards in 11 countries in the region.
The three pillars of a protective environment:
- Parents/others caring for children: the ability, knowledge and practice of those immediately responsible for a child’s care and protection;
- Community/Society: the norms, practices, values and support of the community and society in which the child lives;
- Governance system: the legal and policy framework, the standards that guide basic social services and the capacity, knowledge and behaviour of the professionals who come into contact with children.
Supporting juvenile justice reform in Kyrgyz Republic
UNICEF has helped to create a training centre on juvenile justice reform at the Militia Academy of the Ministry of Interior. Police officers from the Scottish Police Training Academy – a pioneer in child-friendly law enforcement – train local enforcement officials on communication skills related to juvenile justice.
Prevention of child trafficking in Albania
UNICEF has helped establish new cross-border cooperation for repatriation of Albanian children trafficked to Greece and Italy. Partnerships have been established with NGOs in Greece to carry out street investigations on trafficked children. Back in Albania, UNICEF works with the NGO Terre des Hommes, to mobilize local communities in two of the worst-affected districts, Korca and Elbasan, to protect their own children from trafficking. As a result of successful advocacy, the government of Albania now sees trafficking as a top priority and a new anti-trafficking police force has been created.
