1. A Strategy for Child Protection
Building a protective environment for children

2. The Protective Environment for Children
The protective environment framework changes the way in which we approach child protection issues.
It shifts UNICEF’s programming in the six thematic areas away from small, ad hoc programmes to changing the ethos of society.

3. What is the Protective Environment Framework?
The environment includes family, community, society
and the state.
A protective environment is one in which all elements individually and collectively work to secure children from violence, abuse and neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
Each element influences the environment -- and exists in a network/chain of responsibilities.

4. Elements of the Protective Environment
The eight key elements of the protective environment include:
Attitudes, customs, behaviour and practices
Governmental attitude
Open discussion of child protection (including in media and civil society)
Legislation and its enforcement
Capacity (e.g. health workers)
Children’s life-skills, knowledge and participation
Monitoring
Services for victims of abuse

5. Child Protection Priority Areas
Six thematic areas of child protection:
Children deprived of their primary caregiver (orphans, children in institutions, etc.)
Forced and bonded child labour
Trafficking of children
Sexual exploitation of children
Protection of children unlawfully recruited by armed groups and forces
Physical violence against children in schools, homes, prisons, orphanages, etc.

6. UNICEF’s Role in the Protective Environment Framework
A sound analysis of the existing gaps within the protective environment will determine the nature of UNICEF’s interventions within the six thematic areas.
Communicating the protective environment will influence UNICEF programming and fundraising. While the media and others tend to point to direct interventions to “rescue” children from exploitation, UNICEF’s communication component must always reinforce the protective environment framework.