Promotion of protocol for intersectoral approach to street children
Skopje, 20 March 2023 (MIA) – In 2022, the total number of newly registered “street children” was 90, with an additional 78 old cases. Warnings were sent to 22 parents. Sixty children were accommodated in daily centers, while four were accommodated in a small group home, said Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska at the presentation and promotion of the protocol for an intersectoral approach to street children on Monday.
The protocol was presented in the presence of Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska, Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski, the Norwegian Ambassador to North Macedonia Jørn Eugen Gjelstad and the UNDP Resident Representative for North Macedonia, Armen Grigoriyan.
In her address, Trenchevska stressed that raising children in an environment which satisfies all necessary conditions for a normal childhood and appropriate development is a fundamental social issue. The Minister added that families can’t always protect children from external danger and threat, and often, they too are the source of crises and violence against children.
Which is why, she added, the protection of street children is a very complex process that requires effort from several sectors from the child protection system. The Minister stressed that street children have the right to be protected by all relevant institutions, and this is why the protocol for an intersectoral approach and cooperation is being promoted.
“For the drafting of this important document, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy formed a working group which included representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Education, Health, Justice and from the NGOs, with the goal of creating a coordinated approach for the protection of street children, their inclusion in society and preventative activities,” said Trenchevska.
The Minister underlined that the protocol also brings North Macedonia one step closer to the EU, since it means that the country is harmonizing its activities for the social protection of children with those of other European countries.
Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski also spoke at the presentation.
“It is my great pleasure to promote the protocol for an intersectoral approach to street children, which we really needed as an institution. The biggest benefit of this protocol is precisely that multisectoral approach and the cooperation between the institutions and their responsibilities as the cornerstone for the protection of these children and their full inclusion into society,” said the Minister.
Spasovski said that the protocol means implementing an efficient and operational procedure for a swift and coordinated approach for the protection of street children, while also providing appropriate aid and assistance to the children, as well as determining preventative measures, which provide every child with a safe and stimulating environment. ad/sk/
Photo: MIA
