Protection of children from all forms of violence is a key priority of Save the Children globally and in Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka, our child protection work aims to strengthen child protection systems and address key child protection concerns, including online violence and exploitations; child trafficking; protection of children who are left behind due to migration; corporal punishment; and protection of children in the tea supply chain through Child Rights and Business Principles.
All our child protection initiatives are implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, National Child Protection Authority and the Department of Probation and Child Care Services. We are also working with civil society organizations, academia and the private sector to bring their expertise and accountabilities to ensure protection for all children.
Mother and Child Friendly Certification for Tea Plantations
With the support of Save the Children Hong Kong, our 'Mother and Child Friendly Certification for Tea Plantations' programme represents a significant advancement in addressing historical challenges related to maternal and child rights in Sri Lanka's tea estates and smallholder farms.
Collaborating closely with our partner, The Centre for Child Rights Business, we've introduced a certification scheme, fostering a supportive environment for the well-being of female workers and their children and promoting a more secure future.
Cash Plus for Protection
Through our UNFPA Cash Plus initiative, we reached nearly 50,000 households, providing crucial cash assistance for protection. This support aims to facilitate access to life-saving Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and protection assistance, ensuring vulnerable communities can access critical services for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) prevention and response. We also focused on building the capacity of service providers in the realm of SGBV prevention and response.
In collaboration with a consortia partnership, funded by ECHO, we provided over 1,350 households with Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance to the most vulnerable families affected by the recent economic crisis. We also strengthened the capacities of 80 government officials, who then mobilized 164 community awareness sessions for beneficiary households on protection and gender, to educate vulnerable persons, especially women, and children at risk of experiencing violence, abuse and exploitation.
New Beginnings for Children Affected by Conflict and Violence
As part of the USAID-funded 'New Beginnings for Children Affected by Conflict and Violence,' our efforts have significantly contributed to enhancing protection from violence, reducing institutionalization, and preventing family separation. This initiative has touched the lives of over 32,000 children across 12 districts in Sri Lanka, striving to create safer environments and brighter futures in the face of conflict and violence.
Strengthening Government and CSO capacity to combat Trafficking in Persons and create greater Impact
The "Strengthening Government and CSO capacity to combat Trafficking in Persons and create greater Impact" (IMPACT) Project (2022-2024) in Sri Lanka is an extension of the successful Strengthening Counter-Trafficking Efforts (SCOUT) initiative. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the project focuses on empowering local stakeholders to combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) at the community level. It involves building capacity to identify various forms of trafficking victims, including Child Victims of Trafficking (CVOT), and providing effective protection. The project collaborates closely with government bodies, NGOs, and strategic partners to strengthen systems for better understanding, identification, and reporting of TIP cases.