UNICEF Pacific’s Post

The celebration of International Day of Families on 15th May 2024, themed, "Climate change and impact on families well-being", doubled up as the launch of National Policy on Family Promotion and Protection. The Policy aims at key strategic interventions for stable and cohesive families. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection draws its mandate from the constitution of Kenya, The Children Act 2022 . It preserves and promotes the rights of children to ensure that children rights are observed to the latter. Child Rights are; name and nationality from birth; education; nutrition, shelter and health care; protection from abuse, neglect and exploitative labour; parental care and protection; protection from sexual abuse to name but a few. Child protection policies provides relevant guidelines for individuals and institutions to be conscious, as they interact with children in the rapidly evolving landscape of upbringing and child care; ensuring a safe environment for children. Child abuse and neglect can have lifelong consequences on the affected children, the effects of childhood trauma end defining, individuals as they are absorbed into the society and ends up causing disharmony, hence impeding social-economic sustainability of communities. The first lady of Kenya, Rachel Ruto called on parents to adopt "positive parenting" which supports the full development of a child through a nurturing, empowering and non-violent approach. Families offer an environment of warmth, love, sense of belonging and understanding, which is essential for the emotional and psychological development of their members. The emotional stability provided in the family fosters self-confidence and self-esteem in individuals, making them resilient and capable of dealing with life's challenges. Healthy families are the foundational units of healthy communities, social development and sustainable communities. #Childprotection #healthycommunities #families #empoweringcommunities

🌟 Child Protection Week: Prioritising Children’s Safety 🌟 Unintentional injuries pose significant threats to our children – from road traffic crashes to drowning, falls, burns, and poisonings. Shockingly, children under 5 face the highest rates of neglect, while those aged 5 to 9 follow closely behind. Poverty and pervasive violence contribute to child maltreatment rates in South Africa. Over 40% of young people here have endured sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect at some point in their lives. Section 28 of the South African Constitution enshrines the rights of children. It includes provisions related to health care, nutrition, shelter, basic education, and protection from maltreatment, neglect, abuse, or degradation. It emphasises the importance of promoting and protecting the well-being of children in South Africa Every individual in South Africa has a role to play in upholding and enforcing children's rights to be protected. Parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies, and community members all share the responsibility of creating safe, supportive, and nurturing environments for children. @followers Join ChildSafe South Africa in raising awareness and make your contribution by sharing the insightful discussions on Child Protection and Children’s Rights with subject matter experts via the ChildSafe Podcast Series or contribute to the cause via the secure online gateway PayFast in support those most vulnerable. By prioritising children's safety, advocating for their rights, and intervening in cases of abuse or neglect, individuals can contribute to a society where children are valued and protected. #ChildProtectionWeek #ChildProtection2024 #ChildProtection #ChildrensRights #SafeSpace #PodcastInsights #ChildSafe #ChildrensRights #ClinicalInsights #PodcastSession #BeInjuryFree #section28 #injuryprevention #ChildAbuse #ChildSafePodcast #ChildProtection #ListenToChildren #InjuryPrevention #GBV #ChildAbuse #childneglect #Constitution #ChildrensAct #BillOfRights

I came across this impactful post from the Global Parenting Initiative and felt compelled to share the message about the transformative power of parenting interventions. These programmes are essential for fostering positive engagement and responsive caregiving, equipping parents and caregivers with the skills they need to build strong, loving relationships with their children. During my research in Peru during the pandemic, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact of playful pedagogies shared by teachers with parents. These interactive and engaging methods not only enhanced learning but also created joyful, nurturing environments that were crucial for child development. This experience suggests that incorporating playful pedagogies into parenting strategies could be a valuable approach going forward. Empowering caregivers to connect deeply with their children is not just a personal victory; it's a societal one. Let’s continue to advocate for and implement these vital programmes, ensuring every parent has the support they need to thrive and every child can grow up in a loving, supportive environment. #Parenting #Empowerment #GlobalParentInitiative #StrongFamilies #PositiveEngagement #PlayfulParenting #ResearchInAction #Peru #PandemicResilience

#childprotection is everybody's business. Globally, millions of children face violations such as child labor, exploitation, and lack of access to education. According to UNICEF, an estimated 152 million children were engaged in child labor, with many experiencing hazardous conditions. Additionally, millions suffer from violence, abuse, and neglect. These figures underscore the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the rights and well-being of every child. Every individual deserves protection and support, especially the most vulnerable among us. Let's join hands to advocate for a world where every child is safe, nurtured, and empowered. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the rights and well-being of future generations. #HumanRights #childrights #SupportForAll

Did You Know? The United Nations Guidelines on Alternative Care, 2019, defines 'children without parental care' as those who are outside of their parents for more than 24 hours for whatever reasons and under whatever circumstances. Most #carereform is based on the clear principle that #children grow best in #families and communities. The principles of family and community based alternative care are twofold: preventing unnecessary separation of children from their birth families and gatekeeping to reduce the number of children in institutions and to reintegrate separated children back to families and communities. Ghana is moving right in this direction as the country is developing effective strategies and approaches for the protection of children in the country.   https://lnkd.in/gBByVENS Kiran Modi Udayan Care DEEPAK SHARMA #ChildrenInFamilies #FamiliesFirstAlways #Deinstitutionalisation

🔴 Urgent: Child Neglect in Uganda - A Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore! #Child #Neglect: Means the failure to provide for the basic physical, emotional and developmental needs of a child, in areas such as health, education, emotional development, nutrition, shelter and safe living conditions, which cause or have a high probability of causing impairment to a child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development[Children (Ammendment) Act 2016]. In Uganda, far too many children are suffering in silence. 🚸 Neglected, they are denied the fundamental rights to love, care, education, and protection, rights that every child deserves. This neglect not only robs them of their childhood but endangers the future of our entire nation. The Reality: ♦️Absent Care: Many children are growing up without the guidance and support they desperately need. ♦️Denied Essentials: A significant number lack access to education, healthcare, and safe environments, leaving them vulnerable. ♦️Exploitation Risk: Neglected children are often the most at risk of abuse, trafficking, child marriage, and harmful practices. Our #Collective #Responsibility: Now, more than ever, we—parents, educators, community leaders, and policymakers, must come together to end this crisis. 🔹 Raise Awareness: Share this post and spark conversations in your communities and networks. Knowledge is power. 🔹️Strengthen Parenting: Parents by all means need to be reminded of their responsibilities and roles. 🔹 Get Involved: Support local organizations that are on the front lines, working to protect and empower children. 🔹 Advocate for Change: Push for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and hold those responsible accountable. Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment. Let’s unite to break the cycle of neglect and give every Ugandan child the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. 🌍 #ChildProtection #EndChildNeglect #Uganda #CommunityResponsibility #YouthEmpowerment #ChildRights #FutureLeaders #ActNow Don’t just stand by - be the change these children need. 📢

Most families become involved with a Children’s Aid Society because of a reported concern of suspected abuse or neglect. Children’s Aid Society must assess the information and, where necessary, investigate. Children’s Aid Societies work with families to create and support safe and healthy environments for children and youth. Here is what families can expect during an assessment. 🤝Meeting Your Family A Children’s Aid Society worker will meet with your family to discuss the reported concerns. The worker may also speak to other people living in your home, and others such as doctors and teachers, to get an understanding of your family’s strengths and needs. 🤝 Asking About You Children’s Aid Society will ask for information including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Your consent to ask and collect this information will be sought. This information gives children and youth a voice in how they choose to identify themselves. 🤝Next Steps If the worker finds any concerns that need to be addressed, they will connect you to community services to support the safety of your child and the well-being of your family. They may also continue working with your family on an ongoing basis. Where an immediate risk to your child’s safety is identified, whether physically, emotionally, or from neglect, the worker will work with you to find an alternative place of safety for your child. For more information and FAQ's visit the link in our bio 🔗 #ChildWelfare #CASDSM

Exciting times for Somalia! Investing in children's health, education, and social protection is indeed crucial for a brighter future. Let's ensure these initiatives are inclusive and accessible to all children, including those with disabilities. Together, we can build a more equitable and prosperous society 🇸🇴 #SomaliaTransformation #InclusiveGrowth #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityRights #InclusionMatters

Nearly 400 million children under 5 — or 6 in 10 children within that age group globally — regularly endure psychological aggression or physical punishment at home, according to new UNICEF estimates. Of them, around 330 million are punished by physical means. More and more countries are prohibiting physical punishment against children in the home. Over half of the 66 countries that have banned the practice have enacted legislation within the past 15 years, but this still leaves around half a billion children under the age of 5 without adequate legal protection. Strengthening legal and policy frameworks that prohibit and end all forms of violence against children in the home is urgently needed. These figures are really shocking. https://lnkd.in/eyjQStde

The purpose of this UNICEF report is to provide contextualized analysis of the situation of children in alternative care and adoption in Europe and Central Asia on the basis of TransMonEE data and other sources. It takes the form of an analytical report card that can be used for priority-setting and decision-making for international and national child protection policies and programmes and for achieving better outcomes for children, especially socially excluded children.