Held in Mogadishu, the
training was facilitated by the United Kingdom Mission Support Team (UK-MST) in
collaboration with AMISOM Force Headquarters (FHQ), the United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the SNA.
The Somalia Deputy Country
Representative for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nejmudin Kedir
Bilal, underlined the significance of cooperation between stakeholders in
effort to ensure the respect and promotion of the rights of children in
Somalia.
“We appreciate the
strong collaboration with the Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM on child
protection including work on handover of children associated with armed groups,
as well as for their excellent coordination between the sectors and UNICEF,”
said Bilal.
According to UNICEF, 1.8
million children in Somalia are at risk of violence, abuse and neglect due to
the ongoing conflict, worsened by recurring climatic shocks, poverty, and the
socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Somalia recorded 23,374
verified violations against children over the past 5-years (2016-20), with the
fifth highest number of children killed or maimed in conflict.
AMISOM Planning Officer at
Force Headquarters, Colonel Charles Ayiku, urged the participants to spearhead
efforts to end violations of child rights in Somalia.
“We expect you to
remain committed to the protection of children through monitoring and reporting
grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict and engaging
with UNICEF and other humanitarian actors for follow-up and response to
individual cases,” said Col. Ayiku.
The Commander of the
United Kingdom-Mission Support Team (UK-MST), Lt. Col. Stroud-Caules, noted
that there is need for concerted efforts to tackle gender- based violence and
child rights violations.
“In Somalia and all over the world, child
protection and gender-based violence are issues that need to be addressed, ”
said Lt. Col Stroud-Caules.
“The work you will do
as Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) and gender officers is absolutely vital
in changing the mindset of people to look at children with a different view,”
he added.
Major Beatrice Kabanda,
AMISOM military Gender Officer said, “The changing nature of conflict has
put children in the frontline in terrible ways causing longer lasting
implications for themselves and their societies.”
She added, “Exposure
to conflict, violence and insecurity can have major psychological effects on
children. Unless appropriate support is provided, their distress can go beyond
the end of the conflict,” she added.
Lt. Abubakar Ali, an officer serving under the
Djiboutian AMISOM contingent, expressed commitment to protect vulnerable
children in Somalia- a country with the highest number of child survivors of
rape and other forms of sexual violence.
“We are here as
peacekeepers to also protect the most vulnerable in our population; the
children, women and persons with disabilities against any violation. We have
stabilized the country and this creates room for better health services, good
education, access to clean water and a peaceful Somalia safe for everyone,”
said Lt. Abubakar.
– AMISOM –
Some of the topics covered
at the conference included protection against Gender Based Violence (GBV),
monitoring and reporting mechanisms, needs of children affected by armed
conflict in Somalia, the action plan and standard operating procedures (SOP) on
reception, handling, release and reintegration of children affected by armed
conflict, among others.
– AMISOM –
