Child Protection
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© Social Support Center/Al Ain/2006 |
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Camel Jockey Children at Social Support Center, Al Ain |
The child protection programme consists of one project:
1. “Vulnerable and Excluded Project”
- Past Activities (2004-2006):
- The Government of the United Arab Emirates and UNICEF signed a joint child-focused agreement in May 2005 under which the Government would provide $2.7 million to UNICEF to support children removed from camel racing for two years, with the bulk of resources going towards their care, education, treatment and reintegration into families and communities back in their home countries. One year later, 1,073 children have been repatriated to their countries of origin, there are no more children in the shelters in the United Arab Emirates and the majority have been reunited with their families. The project included technical support from UNICEF to build the capacities of staff and social workers in shelters managed by the United Arab Emirates Social Support Centres, which provided care to children before their repatriation. The project duration will be extended for two more years ending May 2009 and increasing the allotted amount with US$9 million dollars, to enable the implementation of the second phase. UNICEF GAO in Riyadh will support and direct the extension of activities to be implemented by the countries of origin. click to read publication, to see video, to read press clipping and official statement. For more information on country presentations, read minutes/recommendations of meeting and see side bar.
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© UNICEF GAO/Abu Dhabi/2006 |
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UNICEF GAO and Abu Dhabi Police at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Coordination Meeting on Children Previously Involved in Camel Racing in UAE |
- Planned Activities (2007-2009):
UNICEF support will include international expertise, sharing of experiences from the region and beyond, rapid assessments, technical assistance, training and workshops as well as advocacy for:
- Establishing capacity for rapid assessments of specific violations of child protection rights
- Establishing capacity to analyse and respond to specific violations of child protection rights
- Establishing early warning systems in order to prevent specific violations of child protection rights
- Improving of laws, policies and mechanisms to detect and report child abuse
- Developing referral systems for counselling and rehabilitation of children abused
- Continuous capacity building of the Social Support Centres and other relevant institutions engaged in the prevention, identification, and protection of children victims of specific violations of child protection rights.
- Developing a monitoring mechanism against the use of children in camel racing.
- Enhancing the use of pilot projects as a way of replication of best practices on a national scale.
- Awareness raising campaigns aimed both at decision makers and the public about issues such as child abuse, child labour, domestic violence, etc.
