Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: Somali Child Protection and Development
(SOCPD) has organised a meeting on child
protection to ensure the safety of street
children in Mogadishu.
Somali Child Protection and Development (SOCPD) has organised a
meeting on child protection to ensure the safety of street children in
Mogadishu. This meeting is part of a campaign to provide a safe
environment to Mogadishu street children and to get the community to
understand the problems faced by Somali children in general and street
children in particular.
The meeting coincided with the Day of the African Child, 16th June. The
meeting was held at the SOCPD centre, one of street children project
locations. The meeting started 8:00am and finished 1:00pm.
OBJECTIVES:
- raising awareness about child protection
- ensuring the safety of street children
INTRODUCTION:
Street children are increasing in Mogadishu and their situation is
desperate. To address the situation, SOCPD seeks to provide a safe
environment to Mogadishu street children and influence duty bearers to
support Somali children.
It presented an opportunity to explore the grave situation of children on
the street, with the participation of important community leaders and
prominent stakeholders. The care and protection of the street children is
society's responsibility.
SOCPD has organised this meeting in an effort to influence the social duty
bearers to fulfill their responsibility to protect the street children. The
meeting intentionally coincided with the Day for all African children
particularly those affected by the wars, violence, famines, and the lack of
care and protection.
The meeting was held at SOCPD centre, in the biggest and busiest
business centre in Mogadishu, where there is a great number of street
children who looks for their daily life in the market at day time and sleeps
there in the night. These children lead a very grave and dangerous life
sometimes in the market place.
The meeting was convened to raise awareness and motivate stakeholders
to fulfill their responsibility of care and protection for street children.
Community leaders, owners of business centres, prominent community
leaders, security guards, local authorities, the local media, local NGO /
youth groups, parents, school children and street children participated the
meeting.
Speeches delivered by important participants:
Green gates programme coordinator Mr Mohamed Jelle gave an
introduction and background on the Day for all African children. Mr jelle also
read at the meeting an overview of UNICEF child protection study for
Somalia and outlined the attitudes and problems encountered by street
children. Mr Jelle also talked about the interventions to assist these
children led by international and national relief organisations.
The following participants also gave their speech on the occasion:
Mr Ali Ahmed From SORPHR spoke about mental retardation. He
emphasised the problems faced by mentally retarded children in the
families and society. He requested the participants to encourage parents
not to discriminate against the above mentioned children and give them
further care.
Prof. A/rahman Hassan Hashi from IRFAN RELEIF ORGANISATION explained
the care and protection Islam has provided to the children. He also
explained the duties responsibilities imposed on every Muslim to the
fulfilment of the children rights for care and protection. The Sheikh
exhorted the community leaders and social service providers to meet the
immediate needs of the street-children.
The representatives of the community and the local security guards gave a
very important speech on how they will put more emphasis on the security
protection for these children. They committed to work day and night to
ensure the safety of street children.
A member of INTIFAC women group expressed the importance of education
for the children, particularly the civic education which he said would create
patriotic citizens who will be useful for the nation's future.
At the conclusion the chairman of SOCPD and one of the organisers of the
meeting addressed his closing remarks. The chairman of SOCPD Mr
Mohamed Abdi Mohamed explained the problems faced by street children
generally and how the participants, particularly security guards and
community members can provide protection to those children. He also
spoke about the psycho-social problems encountered by street children
and the way to care them according to the local assistance network that
can be provided.
Mr. Mohamed requested all community sectors to stand up for the
assistance of the street children. He expressed his regards on behalf of
the meeting to all African children and wished them a happy life. He at last
thanked the participants and urged them to ensure care and protection
for the street children.