Conflict Resolution renews the project for protecting children from sexual exploitation in Palestine

Gaza, Publication and Information Unit:

The Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution, in partnership with the European Union, renewed the project for protecting children from sexual exploitation in the governorates of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank for two years. The renewal came after a visit by the chair of the Centre's board, Dr. Nahed Eid, and the deputy director general of the Conflict Resolution Center, Eng. Iyad Abu Hjair, to the European Union branch office in Gaza, during which the new contract was signed.

In this connection, Eng. Abu Hjair explained that the new project will include three phases: providing educational support to children and their families and making them aware of the places where they may be exposed to harassment; a second phase during which a range of psychological, social and legal services will be provided to child victims of sexual exploitation; adding: "The third phase focuses on lobbying and advocacy to influence decision-makers in changing policies and working to reject this phenomenon in a way that serves Palestinian society and its people."

The deputy director general of the Conflict Resolution Center pointed out that the project will begin in the governorates of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank at the start of January 2014, and that coordination is under way with the partner associations to draw up the plans and activities to be carried out over the next two years. He called for community efforts to be joined and for working with civil society to protect children from the dangers of sexual exploitation and harassment, which increase fear and withdrawal among the children harassed within society.

It is worth noting that the project for protecting children from sexual harassment and exploitation at the Palestinian Center for Conflict Resolution was able to help 307 victims of harassment over the past two years, in addition to providing counselling and educational services to more than 9,000 children and 10,000 families in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.