The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, with support from UNICEF, has completed the training of eighteen (18) additional social workers with specific focus on implementing child protection programs in four counties hosting Ivorian refugees.
The training’s primary goal is to strengthen social service workforce to implement emergency child protection programs for Ivorian refugees in child friendly spaces and host communities.
Participants of the training were drawn from four counties: Maryland, Nimba, Rivergee and Grand Gedeh.
Following the intense child protection training, participants will be deployed in the four counties to commence the rollout of child protection programs.
The three-day intense training and group working sessions was organized following a careful assessment of the prevailing situation of Ivorian refugees at various refugee camps and communities situated in the four counties. Findings from the assessment highlighted the need for gender-based violence (GBV) prevention & response services, sexual reproductive health and rights and child protection needs, which include separating children into kinship care.
The training was moduled with the objective of building the capacity of social workers in the four counties affected by the Ivorian refugee crisis in child protection in emergency, case managements, enhance participants’ understanding of the current Ivorian situation in Liberia, and further discuss the coordinated response mechanism.
Other objectives include enhancing participants’ knowledge to operate in child friendly spaces and creating the enabling, and safe, environments for refugee children.
During the three-day fascinating knowledge exchange, some key topics were highlighted with specific emphasis on the following: child development and needs, fundamentals of child protection, providing PFA to children, including recreational activities, as part of psychosocial support, and international, legal framework in supporting and working with children.
Other topics highlighted during the training were: understanding gender in emergency, identifying and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) and the context of vulnerability in emergencies, GBV referral pathway and child participation and involvement, amongst others.
The three-day training sessions were facilitated by a few experienced staff of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, including Assistant Minister of Children & Social Protection, Maminah Carr, Director of Children Division, Victoria W. Zaway, Alfreda W. Jacobs, Director, Social Assistance Division, Janet David, Assistant Director, Children Division, and Vivian Kanneh, GBV Focal Person.
The training, which was hosted in Ganta, Nimba County, took place from Monday, August 23 to Wednesday, August 25, 2021.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Gender has encouraged participants to take seriously their new role and responsibilities. Assistant Minister Carr used the occasion to applaud UNICEF for their immense support towards the preparation of the new batch of social workers. She promised government’s fullest commitment in ensuring that the objectives of the training are met.
Additionally, Assistant Minister Carr praised staffers of the ministry for their commitment and support in accomplishing the training.
Responding to the training, the new batch of social workers extended special appreciation to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection for the knowledge acquired during the training, and also committed to professionally executing their role and responsibilities in line with the knowledge gained.