UNICEF action
In 2003, UNICEF advocacy and technical assistance led to the passing of the Child Protection Act, resulting in a giant leap foward in the way children are protected from exploitation and abuse under Thai law. One of the most significant results of this Act has been the introduction of Child Protection Committees at the provincial level to develop locally-relevant policies. To further strengthen protection measures for children, UNICEF has helped organize multi-disciplinary child protection teams made up of police, prosecution officials, social workers, health workers and other relevant professionals to investigate and deal with cases of abuse. UNICEF support has been vital in fostering cross-border cooperation to eliminate trafficking, including the world’s first-ever multi-country Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) against trafficking, which was signed by Thailand and nearby countries in 2004. This agreement was based on an earlier MOU developed with UNICEF support between Thailand and Cambodia. We are continuing to develop and implement other such agreements. For girls at risk of being lured into prostitution, the Youth Career Development Programme offers vocational training and alternative employment. It was established by UNICEF and the Pan Pacific Hotel in 1992, but now involves more than 20 hotels, a bank and a hospital. More than 100 girls were accepted into the programme in 2004 and almost all of them had secured employment by the time of graduation. Average salaries are highly competitive and similar vocational training schemes are now being offered to minority children and female young offenders in Bangkok.
Children and young people themselves are also working to protect their peers through the UNICEF-supported Child Rights Volunteers programme. Volunteers watch out for signs of abuse and vulnerability in their communities and inform local authorities when necessary. They also raise awareness of child rights by performing plays in schools and communities and by operating radio stations and other media. For children in conflict with the law, UNICEF has helped introduce family and community group conferencing, whereby young offenders and their families are brought together with victims and officials to discuss alternatives to detention. New guidelines have also resulted in the release of some young offenders from detention.
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