UNICEF has been working in Armenia since 1994. Our current activities in child protection aim to build a protective environment for all children–no exceptions. A protective environment includes all the necessary supportive elements within the family environment, community and society in which the child lives, or specific elements of the governance system that guide basic social services and the conduct of professionals in contact with children. Preventing and protecting children from abuse, exploitation and neglect is a global priority for UNICEF. Our actions are guided by the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
In Armenia, our current priorities are:
- advocacy to improve domestic legislation and administrative procedures to better reflect child rights and incorporate recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child;
- creation of child protection bodies at national, sub-national and local levels;
- support for the inclusion of children with disabilities into mainstream education;
- family reintegration of children from orphanages or their placement with foster families;
- development of state policy on early identification of childhood disability and early intervention;
- support for the monitoring of violence and abuse against children and development of sub-legislative documents on child abuse and neglect;
- identification and capacity building of present and potential professionals and stakeholders.
Contributions to child care system reform
In 2000, UNICEF assessed the situation of children in institutions and found that 60% of special residential institutions have admitted large numbers of socially vulnerable children during the last several years. There is no official definition or policy or set of criteria on which children are considered to be socially vulnerable, which explains why so many children with parents are in residential care institutions. It found that most professionals in residential care institutions had had no state training since graduating 20-30 years ago. UNICEF has responded by supporting training for teachers and psychologists in state-run orphanages and special or boarding schools over the last two years, raising their awareness on child rights and building their capacities for quality care. For example, UNICEF contributed to the introduction of child welfare reforms (de-institutionalization of children, policy on vulnerable families, reforms at boarding schools).
UNICEF-supported community-based services for children, currently operating in four Armenian provinces, have served as the model for a new policy on alternative care developed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues. More than 300 children benefit from community-based services in remote rural areas as well as in the earthquake-hit zone. The Government is currently developing a foster care scheme as an alternative to institutionalization of children. The Ministry of Labour and Social Issues has developed a plan of action to support the reintegration of adolescents leaving orphanages through housing, financial assistance and support to continue their education.
Since 1998, we have supported the Ministry of Education and Science and a number of NGOs in establishing community-based centres for children with disabilities and the creation of inclusive education models in selected mainstream kindergartens and schools. As a result, there are now 350 children with disabilities enrolled in 18 inclusive kindergartens and five schools in four provinces. The number of inclusive kindergartens and schools is increasing due to active involvement and advocacy by parents and civil society. About 5,000 households all over the country have been surveyed in the UNICEF-assisted study on Early Identification of Childhood Disability. The study will serve as the basis for the development of a state policy on early identification of disabilities with children, early intervention and their integration into society.
Contributions to juvenile justice reform
There is no information available.
Contributions to reform of the child protection system
There is no information available.
Other contributions
We support the development and implementation of the National Plan of Action for the Protection of Children's Rights. Our advocacy efforts contributed to the development of the Anti-Trafficking Plan of Action and introduction of corresponding amendments into the new Criminal Code. As a result of our work, those in the juvenile justice system, NGOs, youth groups and care providers in residential institutions have more understanding of child rights. We have supported the development and implementation of child welfare reforms as well as reforms aimed at equalization of rights of children with disabilities. Community-based centres have been created as an alternative to institutionalization of children from vulnerable families.
