Child Protection
Protecting children from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect
Challenges
All children should be protected from violence, exploitation and abuse. Yet millions of children worldwide – from all socio-economic backgrounds, across all ages, religions and cultures – suffer from violence every day.
In Kenya the Government has developed and adopted policies and enacted laws to protect children. However, thousands of children are still exposed to violence and abuse, harmful practices, lack of parental care and sexual exploitation. Children are also exposed to specific risks during emergencies such as floods and drought or refugee children who have fled war and persecution.
Solutions
UNICEF is working with the Government of Kenya to ensure increased protection for children and adolescents from violence, exploitation and abuse; and harmful cultural practices, and ensure that they benefit from improved access to prevention, care, support, justice and other services required for their physical, mental and social well-being.
The government has developed a strong legal and policy framework to protect children. Starting with the 2010 Constitution of Kenya (Article 53) which recognizes the right of all children to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhumane treatment and punishment, and hazardous or exploitative labour.
We also work with government to make sure that services are available to children who are in need of care and protection, we work together to equip frontline child protection workers with skills and tools to provide these services.
We work with children, families and communities to ensure that they are able to reject harmful practices and respond to violence against children, family separation and adopt positive social norms.
UNICEF in action
39,900 children received psycho-social support in humanitarian situations
12,600 child helpline calls were received, 4,800 of which were related to incidences of violence against children
167,600 children were reached through community programmes and training on child protection issues
168,900 adults reached through training and community dialogue sessions on FGM and child marriage