Adolescents in vulnerable areas to benefit from supportive environment

As part of a UNICEF-supported initiative, parents of adolescents in vulnerable districts are empowered with hands-on training in positive parenting skills. In collaboration with the Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ), Provincial Drug Coordination Council (DCCC), Iranian Academy for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and a local NGO, UNICEF partnered with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) to organise a comprehensive training workshop on "Adolescent Positive Parenting" in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, in December 2024.

This intensive eight-day training, conducted in two four-day rounds, brought together 90 psychologists, counsellors, and mental health practitioners from Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), schools, and community centres. The programme, funded by EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), aimed to enhance their knowledge, skills, and technical expertise in delivering positive parenting programmes tailored specifically for parents of adolescents. The goal is to establish supportive and nurturing environments for adolescents in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.

The "Adolescent Positive Parenting" package, developed with UNICEF’s support, includes three detailed manuals and workbooks for trainers, parents, and adolescents. It also features 17 educational films for trainers, five videos for parents, and five motion graphics designed to enhance learning and engagement. In the initial phase, the trained professionals will reach out to at least 1,600 parents in Khorasan Razavi Province, offering them practical training on positive parenting skills. 

This initiative is part of a broader effort to scale up adolescent parenting programmes initially launched in Qom Province for vulnerable parents. Over 4,000 parents of adolescents in marginalised areas of Qom have participated in at least eight sessions of parenting training, demonstrating the programme's success in fostering stronger family relationships and adolescent well-being. In 2025, another province will be selected for the third round of training.

By collaborating with key governmental and non-governmental organisations, UNICEF continues to expand its reach, ensuring that adolescents and their families in vulnerable districts receive the essential support and guidance they need for a brighter future.