UNICEF- OXFAM NOVIB PARTNERSHIP ON CHILD PROTECTION
Project Title: Capacity Building, Child Protection Monitoring and Advocacy
Name of Implementing Organization: OxfamNovib (Oxfam Netherlands)
END OF PHASE 1 REPORT
JULY 2005-JULY 2006
Report Prepared by:
Joyce Kathambi Muchena-Child Protection Project Officer, Oxfam Novib Nairobi Liaison Office
table of contents
table of contents
Acknowledgement
List of Annexes
Annex I. Institutional Capacity Building-Final Report
Annex II. Child Protection Monitors’ Review workshops Agenda
Annex III. Child Protection Monitors’ Review workshops Report
Annex IV. Child Protection Status Report (Jan-April 2006)
Annex V. Data base installation progress report (Phase 1 & 2 report)
Annex VI. Revised Protection Monitoring Form- Version A-3
Annex VII. End of project financial report
Abbreviations and Acronyms
FOREWORD
CONTEXT ANALYSIS
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Overall Goal
Specific Objective
GETTING STARTED
APPROACH
PARTNERS IN THE PROJECT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PROJECT
Result 1
Outputs:
Result 2
Outputs:
Result 3:
Outputs:
PROJECT FINANCING
Challenges
Conclusion
Recommendations
Acknowledgement
It would be very difficult if not impossible to accomplish such an ambitious project individually.
I am especially grateful to all the staff of Oxfam Novib who not only gave me a thorough induction at the beginning but also created synergy in supporting me throughout the implementation of the project. Special thanks to my fellow Program Officers James Nduko (Human Rights) and Abdullahi Haider (CapacityBuilding) for their technical support. To Sara Reggio (former Somalia Program Officer) and Joost Van De Lest (the Regional Manager) for offering guidance in both programming and reporting. Logistical and financial support offered by the respective departments came in handy when project plans had to be changed often on short notice.
I am indebted to the Somalia Consultants Association (SOCA) for not only availing the ten consultants to participate in the project but also for nurturing great team spirit. Special thanks to Muktar Elmi who coordinated the team of nine other consultants.
I am deeply indebted to all the partner organizations whose commitment led to the accomplishment of key project results and to the scores of Somali children whose protection was the theme of this project.
My genuine appreciation goes to all the consultants who facilitated one activity or the other for their commitment to the successful completion of the activities.
I acknowledge UNICEF Somalia Support Unit for providing the finances for the project and offering advice along the way.
Last but not least, I’m indebted to my family for all their support and encouragement. To my two sons who motivated me a lot (even) when the going got tough in the project, I say God bless.
List of Annexes
AnnexI.Institutional Capacity Building-Final Report
Annex II. Child Protection Monitors’ Review workshops Agenda
Annex III. Child Protection Monitors’ Review workshops Report
Annex IV. Child Protection Status Report (Jan-April 2006)
Annex V. Data base (Huridocs-WinEvsys) installation progress report (Phase 1 and 2 report)
Annex VI. Revised Protection Monitoring Form- Version A-3
Annex VII. End of project financial report
Abbreviations and Acronyms
- AYUBAyub Orphanage
- BarakoBarako Family health and Education
- CCCCommunity Care Centre
- CPNChild Protection Network
- CSOCivil Society Organization
- CSOsCivil Society Organizations
- GG Green Gates
- HAPO Child Hapo-child Organization
- HEALHealth Education Agro-pastoralist Liaison
- IDMA Investigation Documentation Monitoring and Advocacy
- ISPPInternal Systems Policies and Procedures
- ML/SAYSMoonlight Girls’ Association and Somaliland Association for Youth Salvation
- ODAOrganizational Development Assessment
- ODATOrganizational Development Assessment Tool
- PSAPuntland Students Association
- ProCapProtection Capacity
- SACB Somali Aid Coordination Body
- SOCSISStrengthening Of Civil Society In Somalia/land
- SOYDASomaliland Youth Development Association
- SPDS Somali Peace and Development Society
- SSS Somali Support Secretariat
- UNICEFUnited Nations Children’s Fund
- WOCAWomen Care Organization
- YODOYouth Development Organization
FOREWORD
Child Protection refers to protection from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. Violations of the child’s right to protection are massive, under-recognized and underreported and are barriers to child survival and development. Children subjected to violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect are at risk of shortened lives, poor physical and mental health, educational problems (including dropping out of school), poor parenting skills later in life, homelessness, vagrancy and displacement. Conversely, successful protection increases a child’s chances of growing up physically and mentally healthy, confident and self-respecting, and less likely to abuse or exploit others, including his or her own children. Child protection is closely linked to other aspects of a child’s well-being and is therefore an integral part of the business of development and an issue for children in every country of the world.[1]
Whether a country is at peace or at war its (future) survival largely lies in its children. Sadly, in situations like those experienced in fragile states such as Somalia/land both the authorities and primary care givers have more often than not relegated their responsibility for the child to philanthropist individuals and organizations who may have the will but lack the requisite resources and/or skills to take up this enormous task.
The inception and implementation of this project has been informed largely by the findings of a Child Protection Study 2003 ‘From Perception to Reality’ carried out in Puntland and South-Central by UNICEF and those of the concurrent Child Rights Situational Analysis (CRSA) carried out in Somaliland (spearheaded by Save The Children UK.)
This report shares information on the process of institutional and technical capacity building, the gains made, the challenges encountered. It makes key recommendations towards the achievement of organizational best practices and a culture of human rights among the target partner organizations.
It is our hope that the results addressed by this report, will not only be the spring board for future Child rights monitoring and reporting but should also form the basis of further interventions in building the capacities of families, communities and duty-bearers to provide protection to children.
It is hoped that readers of this report will be challenged to reexamine their specific role in either preventing or intervening in child rights violations and in empowering children to actively participate in interventions intended for their benefit.
Joyce K. Muchena-Child Protection Programme Officer-Oxfam Novib
CONTEXT ANALYSIS
This project was implemented in the three zones of the former SomaliRepublic; Somalia (South-Central Zone), Puntland (Northeast Zone) and Somaliland (Northwest Zone).
For the last fifteen years, the systematic disintegration of the country characterized by collapse of the central authority, judicial institutions and other societal support structures culminated in a severe dearth of respect and protection of human rights. Local and international interventions to address the situation have been rendered futile by competing interests leading to the division of the country into separate fiefdoms.
The three zones, however, have socio-economic and political differences that portend varying levels of respect for human rights. The sense of stability and general security also varies in the three zones.
Somaliland, though not recognized internationally, has continued to develop governance structures since it declared itself as the Republic of Somaliland in 1991. Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace and stability, instituted a constitution through popular referendum and established a judicial system to the level of the Supreme Court. Successful processes such as the 2002 Municipal elections, 2003 multi-party presidential elections and September 2005 parliamentary elections have portrayed Somaliland as a stable region compared to the other two.
Puntland was declared an autonomous federal state following an all-clans assembly (in 1998) till such a time that a legitimate government of Somalia is in place. After an initial period of intra-clan violence between contending factions, the region has established a functional governance system drawing heavily on a combination of traditional and customary justice. There is relative calm in the region though Somaliland and Puntland continue to experience tension, sometimes escalating to violence over the contested borders in the Sanaag, Sool, and Buhodle regions. Both governments maintained elements of their administrators at the Sanaag and Sool regions, and exert influence in various communities.
In the South Central, the establishment of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) covers Somalia and Puntland, while the Transitional Federal Charter recognizes the borders of Somalia as including Somaliland. Somaliland did not participate in the conference (in Nairobi-Kenya) that resulted in these new institutions and legislation. Therefore, at the present time, these cannot be considered to apply to Somaliland.
Despite strong support by the international community, the Transitional Federal Government does not yet control any part of the territory of its country. It has been moving very slowly towards the establishment of a system of governance.
In this scenario, general insecurity, gross abuse of human rights often with impunity became the norm and avenues for restitution and access to justice became a nullity.
In the recent past Mogadishu recorded what is so far considered as the worst conflict in more than a decade. The fighting which began in early February 2006 between a group known as the Alliance for Restoration of Peace and Counter Terrorism[2] and the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) was characterized by attack and counter-attack clashes that left in their wake many people killed and scores of others maimed and/or displaced. Clan elders aligned to both factions made unsuccessful attempts to broker a ceasefire. The Islamic Courts Union was victorious over the rival faction and, after taking control of the capital city, has been expanding its control outside Mogadishu.
Though the general human rights situation is poor, it is particularly desperate for the marginalized sections of society especially women and children. According to UNICEF in its Child Protection Study for Somalia (2003 -2004) children have been particularly vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and violence. Many have suffered displacement and have observed, experienced and sometimes participated in violence. A majority have never experienced normal, stable social relationships and systems of governance, had no opportunity for education, or have had their education interrupted. Many are exposed to weapons, khat (a plant stimulant) chewing and other social ills. The recent development in the South that have seen the Islamic Courts Union establish itself, has not made the situation any better for young boys who are still being used as soldiers by the various conflicting groups.
Even among children some continue to experience greater vulnerability these include, the internally displaced, children from minority groups, the very poor, orphans, the disabled, working children, children living in the streets, militia children and children in conflict with the law. Girls are especially disadvantaged in most of these categories.
Project Specific contextual experiences
Implementation of the project was not spared the reality of insecurity, political backlash and of course an overwhelming needs for material support in the face of crises situations. For example;
In the first quarter the project was implemented during a time when inter-clan fighting was taking place in some regions in Somalia. Election campaigns were at their climax in Somaliland, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) had split into two rival factions, one based in Mogadishu and the other in Jowhar. This is also the period that saw UNICEF relocate briefly from Jowhar, owing to the alleged presence of Ethiopian troops in the area. There were, however, no serious consequences to our work though the perceived risk remained a major dynamic in planning and scheduling of activities.
Due to inter-clan fighting in Bay region, the local consultant sent for attachment to an organization in Baidoa, within the organizational capacity building component of the project, opted to stay in the organization’s sub-office in Wajid (as opposed to the head office in Baidoa) which was considered more secure. Similar sentiments had been expressed by the consultant sent to Jowhar, but UNICEF intervened to ensure safety and security of the consultant.
The local authorities in Jowhar were perceived as hostile to some of the on-going initiatives. This made it difficult to get a representative (organization) from Jowhar to the IDMA training workshop organized in Merka in December and to subsequent monitoring activities.
Project Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for the organizational capacity building component was in all the three zones was delayedwhen a fight broke out between the Police and the Marine guards in Bossasso (Puntland). This was because the initial itinerary was to begin the exercise in Bossaso as per flights; any changes therefore had to necessarily fit within flight schedules to other parts of the country. In addition, most parts of the country were embroiled in protests (some of them fatal) against the publishing of cartoons (by a Danish newspaper) that were perceived as defamatory and an affront to the Prophet Mohammed.
The long spell of drought that has devastated most parts of Somalia/land is considered a part of the challenges with which many partners have had to contend.
The effects of the Mogadishu skirmishes continue to be felt in most parts of the South Central zones with a characteristic increase in internal displacement and population movement from Mogadishu. Partners in Mogadishu have had to be extra vigilant to be able to monitor and document the cases of human (child) rights violations without exposing themselves or attracting negative attention from any of the warring parties.
The media in Somaliland did not respond to an invitation to a media sensitization workshop held in Garowe (Puntland). This was seen as a boycott owing to the political tensions between the two regions.
Overall implementation of the programme was successfully completed. Most partners and consultants in the project remained focused and committed to the success of the activities and a change from the grim situation that the country has been in. Largely due to this commitment no planned activity failed to take place against all these odds.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
In this partnership covering one year, Oxfam Novib was expected to facilitate organizational capacity building for twenty selected UNICEF partner organizations, using a methodology applied to Somali CSOs and relying on trainers/consultants that have participated in the (SOCS-IS 1) Programme before[3].
Oxfam Novib was also expected to provide training on Investigation, Documentation, Monitoring and Advocacy (IDMA) and harmonized and unified reporting mechanisms for regular, consistent and professional reporting on human rights violations, with a focus on monitoring and reporting on child protection violations for UNICEF partners and its use for lobby and advocacy purposes.[4]
TERMS OF REFERENCE
- To help strengthen the organizational and operational capacity of those civil society organizations, undertaking activities on behalf or the most vulnerable.
- To initiate and implement a systematic way to monitor the situation of the child protection violations against children throughout the country.
- To enhance the capacity of UNICEF’s child protection partners in undertaking advocacy initiatives on behalf of child protection based on a systematic analysis of the data collected through monitoring and reporting.
The Overall Goal
To broaden the environment for mutual cooperation between UNICEF and Oxfam Novib in order to improve the access to care for vulnerable children in Somalia/land through the strengthening of the capacity of the UNICEF partners in the area of child protection and organizational capacity.
Specific Objective
To improve the prevention of abuses against vulnerable children in Somalia/land by strengthening the capacity of UNICEF civil society partners in the area of child protection, organizational and technical capacity, as well as monitoring, reporting and advocacy on behalf of child protection.
The following results were expected at the end of the (one-year) project period:
- Improved organizational and institutional capacity of UNICEF Civil Society partners in the fields of Child Protection and Communication for Development.
- Improved Child Protection and Human Rights civil Society Partners’ (including Media) Technical capacity in the fields of Child Protection as well as in Investigation Documentation Monitoring and Advocacy (IDMA) on Child Protection issues,
- Enhanced collaboration/networking between UNICEF and Oxfam Novib Partners on Human Rights and Child protection issues.
Location of Project: all the regions of Somalia/land
Beneficiary Population: Direct beneficiaries: 30 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) (20 Organizations {ten in Institutional Capacity building and 10 in IDMA} and 10 Child Protection Networks) from the three regions of Somalia/land; 30 individuals (from the ten IDMA organizations) to be trained as Child Rights Monitors and 15 media Personnel to be trained on Child Protection in reporting. Indirect beneficiaries: Children and the general population of Somalia/land
Time Frame: July 2005 – July 2006
GETTING STARTED
This partnership was based on Oxfam Novib’s experience and capacity in combining elements of InstitutionalCapacityBuilding and Human Rights Investigation, Documentation, Monitoring and Advocacy (IDMA). This reflects Oxfam Novib’s view that civil society and civic organizations are best placed to bring about lasting change in the Somalia context.
The Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Oxfam Novib and UNICEF was signed in July 2005 and the project was expected to begin then and end in June 2006. This however, did not happen until August 1 and a one month no-cost extension was negotiated to put the ending date at 31 July 2006.
Oxfam Novib recruited a project officer to oversee the management and implementation of the project effective from August 1, 2005. Most interventions were implemented through consultants (local and international).