Pakistan 1 Year Report - UNICEF Humanitarian Action Resources

Core Commitments for Childrenin Humanitarian ActionCHILDPROTECTIONStrategic ResultGirls and boys rights toprotection from violence, abuseand exploitation are sustainedand promoted.In Pakistan prior to the floods, an estimated 32 per centof girls married before age 18 and 3.3 million childrenunder age 14 were engaged in child labour. Thefloods caused insecurity in household food and income,elevating protection risks, and also increased children’svulnerability to trafficking and exploitation, disruptedcommunity protective networks, heightened psychosocialdistress and risk of physical and sexual abuse, andreduced family and individual abilities to cope. In areasaffected by militant action, flood-affected children alsorequired protection from unexploded ordnance.Safe Spaces and Support ServicesAfter just one month, Child-Friendly Spaces (CFSs)were benefiting 13,000 children. Over the year coveragehas expanded more than thirty-fold, at the peak reaching397,000 children (including 186,000 girls) in 1,200locations served by static and mobile CFSs, providingeducation, recreation and psychosocial support services.This is 120 per cent of the target, since maximum usageof mobile CFS was achieved, reaching many childrenin multiple, less accessible locations. Around 163 safespaces specifically for women benefited 11,000 womenin four provinces. UNICEF established 1,500 Child ProtectionCommittees, reaching 54,000 children with supportand service referral. Working with partners, 532,000 nonfooditems - such as blankets, shoes and utensils - weredistributed to vulnerable children and families. UNICEFalso supported the establishment of 14 Child ProtectionUnits within Departments of Social Welfare, registering17,000 children and providing 12,000 of those withservices. From April up to December 2011, Child ProtectionCentres (CPCs) are being established either newly orfrom converted CFSs, to strengthen national institutionsin their provision of sustainable protection for vulnerablechildren, through monitoring of child rights and supportingservice mapping and referral.©UNICEF/PAK2011/ElsbyStrengthening Child Protection SystemsUNICEF and partners have conducted training in childprotection in emergencies for authorities and governmentstaff in all affected provinces. In Balochistan,UNICEF facilitated the establishment of a Child ProtectionTransit Unit under the Social Welfare Departmentand two Child Abuse Care Units in district hospitals,training staff to identify and manage cases of childsexual and physical abuse; to date 32 children havebeen identified and referred to appropriate care. Withinthe Gender Based Violence (GBV) Working Group,UNICEF has supported the development of nationallevel standard operating procedures (SOPs) and aninformation management system, supporting child16 • Children in Pakistan