Presentation to AusAID

31 October 2011

Lara Scott, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, NYHQ

UNICEF in Action in Child Protection -including in emergencies

and on grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict

UNICEF General Child Protection Approach

Promoting Social ChangeChanging attitudes and behaviors that

condone violence against children,including stereotypical gender roles and

discrimination and social acceptanceof corporal punishment,

weapons, and harmfulpractices, such asFGM/C and early

marriage

Strengthening CP SystemsImproving the set of laws, policies,regulations, and services needed acrossall social sectors – especially socialwelfare, justice, educationand health – to supportprevention and response toprotection-relatedrisks

Strengthening CP in Emergencies• Adapting the systems and social change approaches

to CP in emergencies and transition context• Emphasis on preventing and responding to violence

exploitation and abuse rather than on particular categories of children

• Complements the CCCs

Conveningand Catalyzing

------Evidence

Building & Knowledge

Management

Child Protection in Emergencies …

Situations of

Armed conflict

Situations of

Natural disastersBo

thS

itua

tion

s

• Machel study (1996)• Appointment of SRSG-CAAC (1997) and SRSG SV (2010)• CAAC becomes part of the Security Council agenda (1999)• 8 SCRs on CAAC: 1612 (2005),1882 (2009), 1998(2011)• SCR on SV: 1888 (2009) and 1960 ( 2010)

Child Protection in Emergencies … Main CAAC milestones

• The work of UNICEF on CAAC in the field and at HQ has been expanding proportionally through these different milestones

SC Resolutions 1612,1882,1998 Security Council Working Group established

SG requested to implement the MRM on grave in situations on the annexes of the SG’s Annual CAAC

MRM country task forces established

Maintain dialogue with parties to the conflict

• Killing and maiming, rape and sexual violence as ‘triggers’

• Stronger emphasis on accountability (Action Plans, Sanctions Committees and call to bring perpetrators to justice)

• Stronger emphasis on responding to the violations and call on SG to seek necessary resources for response

SC

R 1

612

SC

R 1

882

SC

R 1

998 • Attacks on schools and hospitals added as a ‘trigger’

• Re-emphasised need for accountability and expanded “Action Plans”

• Re-emphasised need for adequate funding for CAAC programmes

Burundi

Chad

DRC

Myanmar

Nepal

PhilippinesSomaliaSri Lanka

Sudan

Uganda

Colombia

Afghanistan

CAR

Iraq

16 MRM countries as of October 2011

Cote D’Ivoire

YemenSouth Sudan

MRM - Which Violations?

1. Killing or maiming2. Recruiting or using children3. Attacks against schools or

hospitals4. Rape or other grave sexual

violence5. Abduction6. Denial of humanitarian

access

© UNICEF/HQ03-1315/ Giacomo Pirozzi

DRCCAR

4 MARA accelerated roll out countries

Cote D’Ivoire

South Sudan

Burundi

Chad

DRC

Myanmar

Nepal

Philippines

Somalia

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Uganda

Colombia

Afghanistan

CAR

Iraq

MRM countries and other emergency situations of concern

Cote D’Ivoire

Haiti

Pakistan

Israel and oPt

Bangladesh

Indonesia

LibyaYemen

Syria

South Sudan

AusAID’s crucial support to UNICEF’s CPiE

MRM: • AusAID support to UNICEF in addressing grave violations is

currently directed at oPT, Central African Republic, the Philippines and Yemen; and Afghanistan under a separate grant.

• The funding also supported UNICEF HQ to provide technical support .

GBV: • AusAID funding is also currently vital in building the capacity of

the GBV area of responsibility to address gender-based

violence in humanitarian settings.

10

Addressing grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict

Objective: reduce, prevent and alleviate grave violations against children in armed conflict

UNICEF’s five pronged approach:

a. Leadership and coordination

b. Monitoring and reporting of grave violations

c. Advocacy

d. Response

e. Prevention

Strategies to achieve results for children

a. Partnership

b. Robust evidence base

c. Integrated cross-sectoral approaches

d. Building back better

e. Innovation and technology

Examples of some of the results for children• MRM Task Forces established in 16 countries + other

situations of concern addressing critical issues affecting children.

• Advocacy efforts at global, regional, country and local levels eg SG’s reports to Security Council to direct local advocacy for children’s release from armed groups / forces.

• 12 Action Plans with 15 parties to the conflict to date.• 2008 – 2010, UNICEF supported the release of approx

20,000 boys and girls from armed forces / groups, with vast majority receiving reintegration support.

Child Protection in Emergencies …programmes for children

• Psychosocial assistance• Monitoring and reporting on grave

violations• Child recruitment, release and

reintegration• Assistance to children and women

survivors GBV• Assistance to unaccompanied and

separated children• Mine Action, Mine Risk Education, arms

reduction

Investment in children affected by armed conflictOpportunities: • Issues related to “grave violations,” “children and armed conflict” and “sexual

violence in conflict,” are now high on the political agenda of the SC and GA. • MRM and emerging MARA frameworks opens the door to constructive dialogue

with governments and other parties on protecting children and women, and holding warring parties to account.

• UNICEF’s technical leadership and strong field presence provides for a comprehensive approach.

• Donor investment is having a positive impact on the safety and well-being of children through support to programmes at country, regional and HQ levels.

• Opportunities for broad inter-agency partnership and coordination of key partners.

Risk:

These opportunities will only be realised if strategic vision and courage is taken by all actors, including donors, to take programming to scale and invest in children.

Thank you AusAID for your continued support!