The widespread failure to protect children is a global crisis. This crisis represents a major violation of children’s rights; an unacceptable situation, which must be remedied urgently, no matter the costs. In addition to impacting on the current well-being of children in OHED operational zone, the widespread inadequate care and protection of children is also affecting the achievement of broader development objectives relating to child survival and health, education, economic growth and equity throughout towns and villages. Many girls and boys die each year because they are abused, neglected or exploited. Vulnerable children that survive into adulthood can be at a significant disadvantage, with many experiencing developmental delays, gaps in their schooling and mental and physical health problems due to their maltreatment.
The stigma, discrimination and diminished life chances faced by children who are abused in OHED operational zones, exploited and neglected exacerbates inequity. Whilst the resilience of such children can carry with it some advantage for societies, in general these boys and girls are not able to contribute to economies to their full potential. In addition to the damaging impacts on children themselves, the negative effects of child maltreatment on human capital, combined with the costs associated with responding to abuse and neglect, means that inadequate care and protection also hinders economic growth. OHED members need sufficient support to alleviate children problems (especially orphans, street children, children who have been demobilized from armed groups and those abandoned due to being accused as sorcerers) in their areas.
The period of childhood is a phase in which human beings are more vulnerable because they have not finished developing physically or mentally. Furthermore, the child requires a particular attention and protection when growing up. OHED members organize regular forums to ensure that communities become aware of child rights and dignity in their environment.
At OHED, child protection is defined as being the process of protecting individual children identified as suffering from significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect. It involves measures and structures designed to prevent and respond to abuse.
In this way, safeguarding at OHED is defined as protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances through school education.
Safeguarding is everything OHED members do to keep children safe. Within the wider field of safeguarding, child protection can be described as the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering from any form of abuse or neglect.
The principle of the superior interest of children at OHED is also tied to the necessity to protect them. This principle involves two important rules: (1) All the decisions regarding children have to be taken in the exclusive interest of each child to ensure immediate and future well-being; (2) All the decisions and acts must imperatively guarantee the child rights. Thus, the superior interest of a child is subordinated to his/her protection. OHED members advocate to different institutions for a safe and comfortable education environment for vulnerable children.
