55% of the population is comprised of children. As of 31 December 2018, there were 4386 separated children, 1429 unaccompanied children (UASC) and 123,097 adolescents (61,251 girls and 61,846 boys). UASC are at heightened risk of trafficking, abuse and exploitation. Girls are of particular concern as they are considered particularly vulnerable to abuse, violence, sexual exploitation, and neglect. Other known prevalent risks for boys and girls include child marriage, domestic violence, and psychosocial challenges. Shifting from a case management approach to community-based approaches is therefore needed to ensure equitable access to quality services and mitigate negative coping mechanisms and protection risks.
According to a 2018 Multi-Sector Needs Assessment, 49% of households reported concerns for the safety of boys; in particular concerns related to the kidnapping of boys. In the same assessment 41% of households reported SGBV as the main safety concern for girls. It also revealed that only 3% of adolescents aged 15 to 17 years and 1% of girls used Child Friendly Spaces (CFS).
These findings coupled with limited access to education and livelihoods renders adolescents at high risk of child marriage and child labour. Many expect girls to marry, and boys to start earning once they turn 12 to 14 years old. With 14% of the population between the ages of 12 to 17, more has to be done to deliver protection to adolescents through community-based programming and resilience-building.
An education needs assessment also revealed that parents would rather send their children to ‘madrassas’ than to learning centers. 66% of parents expressed preference for girls to attend madrasas; with only 22% of parents wishing to send girls to learning centres. Only 40% of parents identified child-friendly spaces (CFS) as trusted places for their children. It is thus a priority to adapt the CFS model to the community's needs, whilst simultaneously engaging madrassa educators on the importance of psychosocial (PSS) activities and child safe guarding principles and to strategically advocate for enhancing refugee children's access to national services.
Comprehensive response to ensure the sustainability of child protection programming, capacity building initiatives for the Department of Social Services and Ministry of Women and Children will be implemented. Training on the best interest of the child, case management and community responses to child protection issues will be highlighted. Case management activities will be expanded and safe spaces and child protection community-based interventions will be expanded; with 20,000 children targeted for case management; 20,000 adolescents targeted for community-based services. 300 children's committees, groups and other structures that facilitate children's participation will be supported; staff, and refugee volunteers will be trained and CFSs will be transformed into multi-purpose hubs in line with the Office's community-based protection strategy.
Prioritized response1) Community based interventions will be strengthened by establishing 37 community based child protection committees and 61 child clubs linked to governance structures; creating space for elderly to engage with children and adolescents in CFS. 2) Case management for 12,000 children at risk will be provided, including 200 Best Interests Determinations. Capacity building of staff, refugee volunteers and Government on best interest determination procedures will be prioritized. 3) Support will be provided for 47 integrated CFS as well as for community based psychosocial support. 4) 6,000 adolescents will be targeted for life skills, resilience programmes and recreational activities and support to 112 adolescent clubs will be provided to ensure adolescents are central actors in their own protection.