Guinea: Advancing the education and protection of children and youth through sport Guinea, a country of 8 million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 159 out of 162 in the UN's human development index, where infant and maternal mortality rate and malnutrition is high. UNICEF’s work, in this war affected country which has a high level of refugee movement, is focused on child development, child protection and supporting community development projects. Ensuring optimal conditions for a child's early years is one of the best investments that a country can make to strengthen its human capital and improve it's competitiveness in the global economy.
Sports play an important role in the health, education, protection and overall development of children and young people as it cuts across societal barriers. Within schools, sports and physical education are essential components of a quality education, not only promoting physical well-being, but also contributing to improved attendance, learning and academic performance.
At primary school level the project will focus on increasing overall enrolment and improving the enjoyment of education through physical education and sports programs in schools. At secondary level, the project will also include lessons through sports on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and gang violence.
Pakistan: Preventing abuse and exploitation of children In Pakistan, UNICEF is focusing on creating a protective environment as this is the best chance we have of safeguarding the opportunities for children to realise their potential. The precise number of street children in Pakistan is unknown, but it's undoubtedly a problem on the increase.
Recent positive developments to build caring environments for destitute and neglected children in Pakistan are the focus on this project.
This program will support recovery and reintegration services for children who are victims of sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as raise awareness, mobilize the community and open a needed dialogue on sexual abuse and exploitation of children in Pakistan. In breaking the silence surrounding child sexual abuse and exploitation, children will have better opportunities to develop and live in safe and nurturing environments.
Romania: Preventing child labour and child abandonment Abuse and exploitation can have a devastating effect on an individual child, but what is often unacknowledged is the effect that child exploitation can have on a society's social and economic development. Exploitation can keep a child out of school, in poor health and subject to physical and psychological abuse, resulting in children being unable to fulfil their potential and ultimately results in a society’s failure to reach its potential.
In Romania, there is an urgent need to address two huge challenges: the protection of children and a struggling health system. Over 70,000 children are exploited through child labor in the country. One of the factors in this cycle is that around 4,500 newborn babies are abandoned annually, placed in public care institution and then become the main victims of the child-labor market.
The objective of this project is to prevent child labor and other forms of exploitation through the promotion of community-based services and through implementation of new approaches, advocacy and communication. A key part of this project's success is to lower the number of abandoned children in maternity hospitals, while also improving the health and nutritional status of children. Mixed teams of health care staff and social workers will provide counselling to prevent abandonment in maternities and increase mother-child bonding.
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