The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Federation, in cooperation with UNICEF BiH, prepared a draft strategy for the development of the social and child protection system in the Federation until 2030. The document emphasizes the need to reform the social protection system in the Federation, focusing in particular on improving the system of social services, given that the current solutions are not in line with existing needs.
The data is alarming: human trafficking was recorded in 29 cases of which 23 were girls and six boys, begging 11 cases, sexual exploitation six, labour exploitation five, forced marriages two cases and five other forms of violence. And this is only during the last year and according to state ministry data.
"What worries us the most are those grey numbers. These are those who have not passed any statistics, who have not sufficiently encouraged and dared and asked for help or have given up in this process," said Edisa Demić, president and founder of the Association Dignitet Mostar.
Pictures of BH. We've been looking at them for years and talking, but we've failed in practice. Because if we did, the situation would be vastly different. Laws exist, but they are not enforced, and penalties are not sufficient.
"We need to constantly work on programs to create a healthy audience, that young people and children do not just mark orange T-shirt Day, that this is the day when we say 'no' to violence. Every day we have to say 'no' to violence," Demic adds.
Domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, a large number of murders and mass fights. We will only recall the case of Denis Meow. Since then, however, some things have changed, such as grouping the system and better support for prevention and early intervention.
"A series of preventive activities carried out not only by the Family Counseling Center, but also by other institutions of the government allocated and non-governmental sector, shows the effect that this is in a significant decline," emphasizes Osman Šaljo, director of the KJU Family Counseling Center.
A draft strategy for the development of the social and child protection system in the Federation of BiH is being prepared. The objectives are clear:
"The first priority of this strategy is to reduce poverty and mitigate the negative consequences of poverty itself. I will focus on restoring dignity to social work centres and services and social workers in general," said Adnan Delić, Minister of Labour and Social Policy of the FBiH (NiP).
"Great attention will be paid to all vulnerable and marginalized groups of children so that we can provide them with support so that they can one day give their full contribution to the development and strengthening of this society," said Nancy Catherine Bauman, head of the UNICEF BiH child protection section.
Respecting the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child is the first step we can take to protect children, but above all, encourage them to speak out about violence and other forms of human trafficking.