Save the Children strongly believes that every child should be protected from all forms of violence in order to thrive and to be able to reach their full potential. There are two main sources of violence: i) violence resulting from the occupation including from military forces and settlers; and ii) violence within Palestinian families and communities, including domestic violence, harsh corporal punishment in homes and schools, sexual abuse, early marriage, and child labour. These two sources of violence are interconnected and result in high stress and poor mental wellbeing observed in children.
Children are often victims of child rights violations and face significant protection risks including restrictions on movement in the West Bank, the blockade on the Gaza Strip, and an increase in demolitions and displacement. Growing up amidst military occupation and conflict has a profound impact on Palestinian children. It impacts every aspect of their lives, from their safety and development to their education. Child protection services are fragmented, underfunded and inadequate to effectively support children and families subject to or at risk of violence.
Children and their caregivers exposed to such experiences are often impacted psychologically and socially. This undermines their daily functioning, mental health, and psychosocial well-being. Severe and chronic stress can have serious long-term consequences, including disrupting children’s development and learning and increasing the risk of physical health problems such as diabetes, heart disorders, and mental health conditions in adulthood. For more details, see our reports in the Research and Reports section.
In the occupied Palestinian territory, Save the Children’s child protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) work aims to protect Palestinian children. Such support attempts to address all forms of violence, neglect, abuse, and exploitation, at home, school, and community, and from occupation-related violence and rights violations. Vulnerable children usually face multiple risks, including school dropout, child labour, and disability.. Our MHPSS and child protection interventions are adapted and integrated into existing services, structures (e.g. health clinics, schools, etc.) and programs to improve access and reduce potential mental health stigma associated from seeking mental health support, still a taboo in a place like the oPt.
Child Protection
Save the Children works with Palestinian Ministries and local partners to strengthen formal and informal child protection systems, at both the local and national levels. We also provide case management and referral of child protection and Gender-Based-Violence (GBV) cases for all types of services, including legal aid, shelter, and health services. Similarly, we provide cash assistance and livelihoods support to families and to mitigate child protection risks such as separation, child labor, and child marriage. We also work with local communities to enhance caregiver’s positive parenting practices to ensure children are also protected at home.
Save the Children works with partners to provide juvenile justice and reintegration services, such as legal aid, remedial support and vocational training, as well as psycho-social support so that children greatly affected by the occupation such as former child detainees can successfully reintegrate back into their communities. Finally, we monitor and document child rights violations in order to hold duty bearers accountable.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
Given the magnitude of trauma in the occupied Palestinian territory after years of occupation and violence, Save the Children is providing age and gender sensitive MHPSS support to children and families. Group and individual counselling at community or schools based level through the power of art, music or play to support recovery from trauma. We also provide recreational activities for children living in communities regularly exposed to child protection risks.
Child Protection in Emergencies
In the occupied Palestinian territory, where events can rapidly unfold that have serious child protection implications, Save the Children is always prepared to provide urgent emergency services to children and their families. This includes providing educational and/or recreational kits to communities after such events. These kits support affected under resourced children to learn during the crises and when possible, return quickly and safely to school. They also provide the recreational resource for children to play and restore a sense of normalcy during an emergency. We also work with community partners to create child friendly spaces and hold recreational activities in communities to facilitate children’s healing from traumatic events. Critically, as part of our response, we also provide urgent Psychological First Aid (PFA) to children, caregivers and service providers after such traumatic events.