Principal CP issues and approaches in emergencies

By the end of this session, you should be able to: Identify principle protection issues for children in emergencies Describe what is involved in the concept of child protection Apply elements of the protective framework in emergency situations Understand key programming principles around prevention and response to CP in emergencies

What is Child Protection? Currently no common definition of child protection for humanitarian organizations There is however an agreement on the basic elements of child protection. The protection of children from: –Violence –Exploitation –Abuse –Promotion of their Development and Psychosocial Wellbeing 3

“Protection from Violence, Exploitation and Abuse” Needs to be addressed: 1.At the levels of all duty bearers 2.Within traditional sectors such as health, education, water and sanitation 3.With other partners and actors – social welfare, media, police, FBOs, justice officials, private sector Emergencies can exacerbate existing child protection issues, and introduce new threats 3

Child Protection vs. Humanitarian Protection There is often a confusion between protection of children and broader child rights e.g. discrimination is a child rights violation, not only child protection issue.

All activities must be conducted in accordance with universally accepted humanitarian principles All activities aimed at ensuring respect and fulfillment of human rights, as expressed in international human rights and humanitarian law Definition of Protection

Definition of Child Protection All activities aimed at ensuring protection of children from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. Violation of a child’s right to protection is a violation of human rights and a significant barrier to child survival and physical/mental development. All activities aimed at ensuring respect and fulfillment of human rights, as expressed in international human rights and humanitarian law. All activities must be conducted in accordance with universally accepted humanitarian principles. IASC Definition of Protection

Responsive Action Strategic Protection Egg

The Protective Environment Framework 3

Child Protection in Emergencies – A Massive Issue In emergencies, children can experience the following protection risks: Become separated from their families Experience psychosocial distress Experience sexual and gender-based violence Heightened risk of physical violence and abuse Become recruited into armed forces or groups Political violence, such as abduction or torture Emergencies can exacerbate existing CP problems such as child labor, access to justice, trafficking, violence in educational settings. 3

Applying the protective environment in emergencies → Examples  training teachers, health workers, social workers, lawyers  families and communities to early marriage / sexual exploitation  laws and recourse to GBV  of abductions, attacks on schools…  for family tracing and reintegration  knowledge on HIV and prevention of exploitation  through child protection committees  to releasing children recruited unlawfully Element C apacity A ttitudes, customs, and behaviour L egislation M onitoring and Reporting S ervices L ife skills O pen discussion of protection issues G overnment Commitment

Core Child Protection Commitments 1.Rapid assessment  Monitoring  Advocate  2. Prevent and respond to separation  Support to separated children  Trace Families  3. Prevent and respond to GBV [and HIV transmission]  Minimise risk in humanitarian assistance  4. Establish safe environments for children  Psychosocial support  5. Prevent and respond to child recruitment  6. Coordinate mine risk education

Key Learning Points CP is protection from violence, exploitation and abuse CP is different from humanitarian protection The Protective Environment framework is an approach that emphasizes the systems in place needed to protect children Priority to prevention and response to: psychosocial well-being, GBV - HIV, family separation, child recruitment, mine risk Inclusive and multi-sectoral programming for prevention of and response to abuse, exploitation and violence Advocacy for adherence to standards