Despite the challenging circumstances within the occupied Palestinian territory , the child rights situation within the Palestinian legal and policy framework has made progress over the last decade. However, there is significant room for improvement of the child rights situation, especially in regards to the protection of children from violence, the situation of children with disabilities, and the mental health status of children.
Insufficient, ineffective and inequitable public spending on children is one of the major drivers for the limited fulfilment of children’s rights within the occupied Palestinian territory. The Palestinian government is dependent on external funding and while children make up 44% of the population, the Palestinian Authority’s investment in children is limited.
Save the Children is committed to ensuring that all rights in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Optional Protocols are fulfilled in the occupied Palestinian territory. Our Childs Rights Governance (CRG) program focuses on working with the Palestinian Government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the UNCRC, through creating an environment that ensures children are protected and their rights are achieved through legislative and policy changes and by informing government priorities for the development of children.. We are also working to support the development of systematic and institutional monitoring, reporting and upholding of children’s rights at the community, national, and international levels.
We use an equal approach to ensure government, civil society, private sector, and international responsibility and accountability in protecting and guaranteeing children’s rights. We target government and partner agencies to ensure execution of “the UNCRC’s General Implementation Measures through strategic plans, policies, and legislation. We also streamline good governance measures within thematic programs, such as inclusive education, protection, case management for children with disabilities, health prevention, and awareness raising measures that target the most marginalized groups of children.
Child rights reporting
Save the Children supports Palestinian Civil Society Organizations and child groups to monitor child rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory. As part of that work, we work closely with partners to demand the implementation of key human rights treaties in the occupied Palestinian territory (UNCRC, CEDAW and UPR).
Investment in children
Save the Children works closely with Palestinian line Ministries and national stakeholders to monitor the Palestinian budget and to advocate for an increase in local and national public investment in children in a wide range of thematic areas, such as to education and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) services, especially those targeting children with disabilities or vulnerable to protection risks.
Child Centred Social Accountability
Save the Children works with national and community level partners and children groups to hold key duty bearers, such as schools or local councils, accountable to fulfil their obligations to children and enhance their transparency.
Strengthening National Systems
Save the Children is closely involved in the process of developing Palestinian Authority policies in key areas affecting children, such as education, gender equality, disability rights, and child protection services. We work to ensure that the Palestinian Authority’s systems, policies, and legal frameworks are able to fulfil their obligations under the international human rights framework ratified by the Palestinian government.