Relief Society of Tigray

Relief Society of Tigray is an Ethiopian non-governmental indigenous organization implementing a wide range of relief,rehabilitation and development activities in Tigray Regional State since 1978.

REST Child Support Unit was established in 1991. The Unit is headed by a Child Support Unit Coordinator who works under the Relief and Rehabilitation Division (RRD).

Intervention areas 

Child rights,
Prevention of child abuse, 
Support for orphans,
Protection of the rights of child offenders,
Children’s empowerment,
Production of child rights education, advocacy and lobbying materials,

Program area

• Good Governance in the Best interest of the Child Project

The over all objective of this project is to increase the accountability of the concerned duty bearers in the region for the protection of children under difficult circumstances and vulnerable children by promoting the rights of children in the schools, media, parliament, tabia (sub-district) and regional CRC committee and executive bodies there by bring good governance in the best interests of the child.

The program began in June 2006 and in the next 2 years, approximately 20,000.00 children, teachers, parliamentarians, community leaders, media and child right committee members will be reached through our education interventions including sensitization and awareness raising trainings on children rights.

Under the project several activities are tackled including establishment of and support to child rights clubs to enhance joint promotional activities on child rights, training of children, teachers, parliamentarians, community leaders, media and child right committee members on child right issues, intensifying the campaign against corporal punishment and the broadcasting of an educational radio program on child rights.

It also includes preparation of a manual for school child rights clubs and experience sharing meetings with Child Rights Committee(CRC) members. In addition, it conducts training on the basic principles, methods and techniques of guidance and counseling together with child rights, child abuse and neglect and the impact of HIV/AIDS on the growth and development of children. Training is offered to the teacher and the student leaders in charge of the clubs. Various groups such as the HIV/AIDS council members, CRC members and the community are also trained on various issues related to HIV/AIDS. 

• Advocacy and Child Protection Program
  The program seeks to respect the rights of abused children, children in conflict with the law and children under difficult circumstances in Tigray with the joint efforts of the police, the judiciary, other pertinent government organs and the local communities by the end of 2008. Under the project several activities are tackled including establishing two Child Protection Units in two police stations of Mekelle city and one coordinating office in the compound of Tigray Region police commission,establishing two child friendly benches in two Woreda courts of Mekelle, Organizing experience-sharing visit for staff working in the CPU and child friendly courts,Organizing awareness raising workshop on child rights and protection for judges, registrars and supportive staffs of the region's courts, organizeing local radio program  to create awareness among individuals, families and the entire community on the issue of violence against children in general and on the UN study on Violence Against Children in particular, Organizing training for CPU staff on the issue of CRC, techniques of investigation, counseling and communication skills with children, record keeping and documentation and the over all management of CPU.

• Child empowerment activities
  REST believes that children should not just be considered targets of child rights protection effort; rather, they should actively participate in advocating for their rights and protecting themselves from abuse. In this regard, a number of child-oriented activities have been undertaken to enhance their participation.

- Sensitization of children about child rights and responsibilities;

- Supporting child rights clubs through provision of information material & advice;

- Monitoring and support visits to child rights clubs.

Notable outcomes: 

- Child rights awareness levels and knowledge has increased,
- Decrease in corporal punishment in schools,
- Contribution in the fight against harmful traditional practices and HIV/AIDS,
- The Unit serves many NGOs with child rights materials,
- Recognition of REST as a leading NGO in the fight for children’s rights, prevention of child abuse, neglect and exploitation.