Community cooperation and capacity-building for stronger child protection Menbere Dawit GBV Technical Adviser, UNHCR 20 May 2010 Photo by Brendan Bannon, Namibia
Child Protection Systems International child protection framework National legal framework Enforcement of protective legislation Protection for children of all nationalities Photo from UNHCR archives
Violence against displaced children Refugee children/children of concern Protection risks linked to violence Different needs –Gender –Unaccompanied and separated children –Adolescents –Rural vs. urban –Disabilities Photo from UNHCR archives
UNHCR’s Protection Mandate Children of concern to UNHCR Protection and assistance Cooperation with community partners Inter-agency cooperation on child protection Photo by Brendan Bannon, Namibia
Communities as the front line for child protection National systems and communities Local awareness of and support for child protection concerns Engaging partners and stakeholders at multi-levels Inclusion of marginalized children Photos from UNHCR archives
Addressing the immediate needs of children Physical protection Addressing immediate needs (food, shelter, clothing, medical, etc.) Identifying children with special needs e.g. HRIT (Heightened Risk Identification Tool) Guardianship Archive photo from south Asia
Continuing protection for children over several years Safe and protective environments Capacity-building in local institutions and communities Stronger investment in livelihoods and vocational training Temporary care for UASC; family tracing Reporting and referral mechanisms in place Above: Karen refugee children, Thailand Below: Photo from UNHCR archives
Towards long term child protection Cooperation and peace- building involving women and children Sustained psycho-social care services Change in community: –Attitudes –Behaviors –Customs –Traditions –Practices –Expectations Photo from UNHCR archives, the Americas
Community activation Activating community protection mechanisms Dialogue Information campaigns Children’s advocacy in host community Archive photo from the Americas
Good practices Community-based protection networks Coordinating GBV data collection with agencies and NGOs Coordinated GBV data collection; common terminology Focused data is needed for studying trends and providing stronger GBV prevention and response programming Best Interests Determination (BID) of a child Photo from UNHCR archives, the Americas
Good practices (continued) Child’s Rights Clubs in refugee communities and schools Participatory Assessments –Community ownership –Child’s perspective considered in planning and programming Monitoring and referral procedures in place –Safe reporting mechanisms for children Photo of Iraqi youth in Damascus
UNHCR child protection guidelines and resources UNHCR Guidelines on Determining the Best Interests of the Child, May UNHCR Guidelines on International Protection: Child Asylum Claims, 22 December UNHCR Guidelines on International Protection: Victims of trafficking and persons at risk of being trafficked, 7 April UNHCR Guidelines on Policies and Procedures in Dealing with Unaccompanied Children Seeking Asylum, February UNHCR Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls, January UNHCR, Refugee Children: Guidelines on Protection and Care, UNHCR Refugee protection and mixed migration: The 10-Point Plan of Action, January Other resources Action for the Rights of Children (ARC) resource pack, Inter-agency guidelines on unaccompanied and separated children, SCEP Statement of Good Practice,