PESHAWAR
The Directorate of Social Welfare for Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) in collaboration with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund organized a training workshop for the newly established Child Protection Units in the merged districts and six Subdivisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The main aim of the training was to equip the staff of Child Protection Units with essential skills and knowledge to coordinate and provide child protection services effectively, including addressing the needs of children on the move and Afghan refugees.
The 40 participants from the merged tribal district and other staff including Program Manager – PMU, Information Management Officer, Child Protection Officers, Social Case worker, Psychologist of NMDs and Child Protection and Welfare Commission KP attended the workshop.
Senior Planning Officer Hamayun Khan was chief guest of the closing ceremony of the training workshop while Chief Protection Officer Ijaz Khan, Deputy Director Ubaid Ullah and Child Protection Specialist of UNICEF Sohail Ahamd also addressed on the occasion.
In his concluding remarks Hamayun Khan expressed his appreciation for the dedication and commitment of all participants to the cause of Child Protection in NMDs, including addressing the unique needs of children on the move and Afghan refugees. He encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training in their respective roles, thereby safeguarding the rights of all children, and to actively engage with parents and communities in their efforts.
He also stressed the importance of collective action in addressing the complex challenges of child abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect. He urged all relevant line Departments to closely collaborate with the CPUs in NMDs and also emphasized the significance of building strong partnerships with parents and communities to create a protective environment for children.
“This training program represents a significant stride, first of its kind, towards protecting the rights and well-being of all children in NMDs, regardless of their circumstances, and reaffirms and Governments’ and UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring a safer environment for every child” he concluded.
Ejaz Khan highlighted the importance and implementation of the Child Protection and Welfare Act 2010 emphasizing that it provides essential protection for all children in the province, irrespective of their status and nationalities.
Sohail Ahmad also underscored the critical importance of engaging parents and communities in the child protection process. He emphasized that CPUs must connect with parents and communities to build a strong support network for ensuring the protection and welfare of children. “Parents and communities play a vital role in identifying and reporting child protection issues and providing a safe environment for children. Their active involvement is essential to the success of child protection efforts” he further said.
He said that the training focused on enhancing the capabilities of CPU staff in identifying and registering cases of children at risk, including those on the move and Afghan refugees. “It covered conducting assessment, monitoring and following up on interventions and referrals, and facilitating the rehabilitation of children who have suffered various forms of abuse” Sohail said.
He also highlighted the importance of the Child Protection Information Management System (CP-IMS), which will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Case Management and Referral System, ensuring that children on the move and Afghan refugees receive the support they need.
The Directorate of Social Welfare Merged Areas is mandated on the Child Protection issues in the communities, for the purpose, the Department has approved PC-I on the establishment of Child Protection Units and Provision of Support to Orphans (including home based care) in NMDs.
To Protect and ensuring the Protection, welfare, rehabilitation and reintegration of the Child at Risk, 09 Child Protection Units are established in Merged Areas namely, Kurram, Khyber, Mohmand, Orakzai, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bajaur, Sub division Peshawar and Sub Division Lakki.
At the end of the training workshop certificates were distributed among the participants of 5 days training course.
