Protection of children against violence and exploitation
Protect children and young people from violence and exploitation, including in emergency situations.
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What are the issues?
Over the past few decades, the Central African Republic has faced numerous political and security crises that have significantly weakened national institutions and their ability to provide basic services to children. Children are affected physically, psychologically and emotionally. Due to the impoverishment of families as a result of years of conflict, families' ability to care for children and provide them with basic protection has also deteriorated.
Children displaced by armed conflict are particularly vulnerable to family separation, psychological distress and violence. The prolonged presence of armed groups at the community level and limited access to viable alternatives – such as education and vocational training – are factors that expose children to recruitment and use by armed groups.
It is estimated that thousands of Central African children, mostly boys, are currently members of armed groups and local militias operating in the country. Thousands more, mainly girls, are victims of sexual exploitation and violence.
In the current peace process, many more children may exit armed groups and need support. They are exposed to high levels of violence, including physical, psychological and sexual abuse. Children who have been released from armed groups and do not receive reintegration support are sometimes rejected by their families. Girls are even more vulnerable and likely to be stigmatised and even rejected by their communities.
Our actions
UNICEF is supporting the Central African Government's efforts to protect children through:
• Advocating for the release of children associated with armed groups: UNICEF, in collaboration with MINUSCA, is conducting high-level advocacy with armed groups and the Central African Government to end the recruitment and use of children in armed groups and secure the release of children associated with armed groups.
• Reintegration of children associated with armed groups: After liberation from armed groups, reintegration represents the process of returning children to their families of origin and resuming their lives in society. To support children in this process, which can take several years, UNICEF can provide various types of support, including housing, medical care, assistance in locating their families of origin, psychosocial support, and access to education and vocational training opportunities. Between 2014 and the end of 2020, more than 15,000 children, including approximately 4,200 girls, were released from armed groups and supported by UNICEF and its partners.
• Identification and care of separated and unaccompanied children: • In partnership with NGO partners and the government as well as a network of foster families, UNICEF supports the search for and reunification of separated children with their families, including their alternative care in transitional foster families.
• Protection of children who have experienced gender-based violence: Special attention is given to children who have experienced gender-based violence, including sexual violence, exploitation and abuse. In coordination with other United Nations agencies, including UNFPA and UNHCR, and NGOs, these child survivors can receive comprehensive care, including psychosocial, medical and legal assistance, as well as appropriate reintegration activities.