UNICEF Pacific’s Post

Thank you Victorian Council of Social Services for addressing the pain points for care this #worldcareday. For carer households where day to day financial pressures are impacting lives and placements of children and young people, an increase to the Victorian care allowance rate and other financial supports to reach parity with other states in Australia, is urgent and critical. The state by state comparisons show Victoria is out of touch and leaving carers with unsustainable levels of financial responsibility to provide secure and quality care to the children and young people of Victoria. https://lnkd.in/gCkw-A26

Victoria’s child and family services system continues to come under significant and sustained pressure. Service providers – committed to supporting Victoria’s most at-risk children, young people, families and carers, and their workers – are working in an increasingly challenging environment. To ensure that Victoria’s children and their families are kept safe and well, Victoria must continue to implement policies and take steps to reduce the demands on the child and family services system, address the overrepresentation of First Nations families in the child protection system, and ease the financial burden on foster and kinship carers. Read more in VCOSS' 2024 Budget Submission: https://lnkd.in/gk4hvuKX

1 billion child victims. 100 days. 1 historic opportunity. The countdown is on for world leaders to deliver a breakthrough for the billion boys and girls affected by violence. Violence that damages the childhoods of today and societies of tomorrow. We are the first generation with the knowledge, and the power, to ensure every child is protected. Now governments must realise this mammoth responsibility and opportunity; to change the lives, and futures, of half the world’s children who are victims of violence.  If you agree you can call on your Minister to attend and take action at the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children this November. Head to https://lnkd.in/eVK8J4Xv for more.  #InOurHands #EveryChildProtected

Greetings. Recent spate of deaths, the brutality of those to whom we require protect when we are vulnerable. When no-one who we pay to serve are, themselves seeing us as non-human, invisible & unworthy of life, who will stand for us...but our Elders. The critical social structure that is being erased is the role and responsibilities of an Elder. Within community an Elder held the wisdom, stories, values and ancestral beliefs. It was their role to be arbiter, and brought a unique perspective so that communities thrived. At the moment, Elders of quality are virtually non-existent. Irrespective of the community, African, African diasporal, Asian, etc, the youth are screaming out for these roles. The longer these roles are absent, the more brutal the community becomes; and what it has to endure, is more violent and denigrating. What an Elder can do, unique. Thay a few of the reasons why the program below, has been developed. I ask myself this question, constantly: Can I standby and see my community disintegrate? I know my answer...what's yours. https://lnkd.in/epppE7a6

A great step towards achieving the Early Years Partnership Yija Tili community plan in Bidgy. When communities and government work together real change can happen🫶🏼🫶🏽 https://lnkd.in/gwzmgX5G

Preventing Unintended Pregnancies and Child Marriages. Unintended pregnancies and child marriages pose significant threats to the health, education, and economic well-being of individuals, particularly adolescents and young women. To address these issues various activities are being implemented in our project area to empower communities and ensure a brighter future.for example :Advocating for laws and policies protecting school going children,Engaging community leaders, parents, and youth in prevention efforts. e.t.c...

Chasing curiosity mean my purpose in constantly unfolding in front of me and all I have to do is pay attention. So please join me in pursuit of my curiosity. Curiosity fuels the fire within, igniting a purposeful journey of endless exploration. I have decided to invest much of my time towards PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN THE CYBERSPACE. Some of the seasons being that: 1. Children lack the physical, cognitive, and emotional capacities to adequately safeguard themselves from various dangers and risks present in the world. The cyberspace being one of those spaces. 2. Protecting children is a fundamental right. Every child deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and care. Safeguarding their rights, including their right to safety, is not only a moral imperative but also a legal obligation under the UN convention and national laws including Zimbabwe. 3. Children are the future of society. By ensuring their protection, we are investing in the development and progress of our communities, nations, and ultimately, humanity as a whole. 4. Protecting children from harm, abuse, exploitation, and neglect helps to prevent long-lasting detrimental effects on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. The ultimate goal being to develop inbuilt resilience, and positive life outcomes out of our children.

Closing the Gap Target 12 commits to reducing the rate of First Nations over-representation in Australian child protection systems by 45% by 2031. Despite this commitment, we are seeing more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems than ever before. This growing over-representation demands urgent, serious and meaningful action. For this to happen, we need to: - consistently apply the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle to the legislated standard when making decisions about a child and their family - empower and appropriately fund Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to fully lead solutions within their communities - address the root causes that drive demand for the child protection system - increase transparency and accountability in how we monitor over-representation in Queensland - have an unwavering commitment to making decisions in the best interests of the child, always. Our Principle Focus program explores more about what needs to be done to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e_4q4Hqt

Children without stable housing can suffer health impacts for years to come. We know that struggles with basic needs like housing, safety, and health are all connected. And our early developmental years leave us particularly vulnerable to the psychological and physical effects of stress and instability. That’s why Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles works hard to pursue proven solutions that prevent displacement, keep families together, and put stable housing within reach. Learn more from NPR at https://lnkd.in/er2bjRMF

*** Today we (WHO and brilliant partners) launch a new campaign: “childhood in our hands” *** Why? Because half of all the world’s children are victims of violence. * Half. * 1 in 2. * 1 billion boys & girls; punched, threatened, bullied, groomed, raped, neglected, stabbed, abused. Impacts last lifetimes and span generations. Every government has committed to end childhood violence by 2030, but you wouldn’t know it; there’s near zero political will or funding for proven solutions. We need to change that, and we can … at the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, taking place in exactly 100 days. We’ve battled hard to secure the moment, now we need to make it matter. To make sure that Ministers attend and announce action to ensure every child is protected. * … and now we need your help. We need governments to recognise the responsibility and opportunity to end violence is in their hands * 🫵 Could you do 2 things today for the billion boys and girls who are victims of violence? ❤️ 1. Message your Minister - send a pre-prepared Tweet to your government rep calling on them to attend and announce action: https://lnkd.in/exxJzPUh 2. Post the campaign image (illustrated by Oscar-winner Charlie Macksey) and suggested message on your social platforms; “ 1 billion child victims. 100 days. 1 chance to end violence against children. World Leaders: Make the Global Ministerial Conference count. Urge your Minister to attend and act boldly: https://lnkd.in/e5uAzXTG #InOurHands #EveryChildProtected “ +++++ There’s more to follow, with a major media moment coming in Sept … but for now, ***THANK YOU*** for using your voice to make a difference