What we're doing in 2008
Programme Strategies:
In collaboration with its counterparts, the Child Protection Programme will support the implementation of a range of activities with the aim of institutionalizing effective systems and services that prevent and respond to violence, exploitation and abuse of children and ensure justice for children. As a new Programme area, there is a unique opportunity to work in partnership with Government stakeholders as well as other bilateral and multilateral agencies to fully integrate children’s protection in the development agenda, ensuring adequate funding and resources to the establishment of effective social protection services for children.
The Programme uses the UNICEF Protective Environment Conceptual Framework along with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Millennium Declaration and the MDGs as the guiding framework for its interventions (see illustration above).
The Programme will address three key components that are critical for “building a protective environment” for children:
1. An adequate legislative, regulatory, budgetary and policy framework for comprehensive protection of children against all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation. The system-building framework recognizes that for any law to be useful, effective enforcement by trained and resourced professionals is necessary. It is also recognized that investments in child protection need to be reflected in strategic development plans with adequate budgetary allocations.
2. Adequately resourced child protection services, including multi-disciplinary programmes for prevention and early interventions, support to referral and response mechanisms, programmes for recovery and reintegration assistance for victims of violence and abuse and other support services for families and children. This element also involves good inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation between mandated authorities (health professionals, police, social service and the judiciary). Strengthening birth registration is also important.
3. Ensuring positive and protective attitudes and good parenting practices as part of the societal and individual behaviour. Public awareness programmes supporting positive practices are important to ensure that attitudes and values contribute to keep children safe.
Implementing and coordination partners:
In each of the five countries, the Programme will work directly with line Ministries responsible for children’s protection and welfare, i.e. Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare along with the Police departments, Home Affairs and Civil Registry divisions in the respective countries. Other partners include INGOs such as Save the Children Alliance, local NGOs and community-based organizations.
