Protection of Children in Armed Conflicts

Every child has the right to live free from violence, exploitation and abuse.
Children experience insidious forms of violence, exploitation and abuse. Violence against children can be physical, emotional or sexual. And in many cases, children suffer at the hands of the people they trust. Children in humanitarian settings are especially vulnerable. During armed conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies, children may be forced to flee their homes, some torn from their families and exposed to exploitation and abuse along the way. They risk injury and death. They may be recruited by armed groups. Especially for girls and women, the threat of gender-based violence soars. No matter the circumstance, every child has the right to be protected from violence. Child protection systems connect children to vital social services and fair justice systems – starting at birth. They provide care to the most vulnerable, including children uprooted by conflict or disaster; victims of child labour or trafficking; and those who live with disabilities or in alternative care. Protecting children means protecting their physical and psychosocial needs to safeguard their futures.

SPADO has responded to the children in need after and during the conflicts and natural disasters. Together with UNICEF, SPADO has endeavored to address the child protection issues in the conflict and natural disasters affected areas in Pakistan. The following activities have been carried out under the child protection projects in collaboration with UNICEF.

• Establishment/Strengthening of Community Child Protection Committees
• Establishment of Community-Based Child Protection Centers
• Advocacy and awareness on child rights in situations of conflict and natural disasters
• Establishment of a monitoring system and provision of protective and rehabilitative services through community-based child protection referral mechanisms
• Reporting mechanism on violations of children’s rights
• Psychosocial support to the most vulnerable and traumatized children
• Establishment of shelter schools and provision of primary education

SPADO has also implemented child protection projects in the IDPs camps. The main purpose of the projects was to ensure a protective environment for internally displaced girls and boys, and to prevent exploitation through prevention.