Curaçao is an island in the Caribbean and part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is an autonomous country. UNICEF Netherlands advocates the improvement of the situation of children throughout the Kingdom. In Curaçao, UNICEF promotes children's rights education and participation activities
© UNICEF/van Beek
© UNICEF/van Beek
In 2022, the ACT4ECC project is set up for more safety for children in Aruba and Curacao. This project aims to build capacity and raise awareness of professionals who work with and for children.The Awareness raising and Capacity building Toolkit for European and Caribbean Children (ACT4ECC) project runs from March 2022 until February 2024. An online magazine and toolkit are produced in november 2023.
Curaçao wants to introduce a protection code for the safety of children, a step-by-step plan for professionals who work with and for children. The aim is that they take action faster and better when they identify insecurity in children. In other countries a similar code is called 'Child Abuse Reporting Code'. By following the steps of the code, help can be organized if necessary for the parents and children so that the home becomes safe. The preparation, institutionalization and implementation of the protection code lies with the Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare of Curaçao. Working with the protection code requires further awareness (attitude), specific knowledge and skills from professionals. Even after the implementation of the code, it is important that such a step-by-step plan is constantly brought to the attention of professionals, because they are not working on it all day. The Ministry is supported in these various responsibilities from UNICEF the Netherlands, in collaboration with Augeo Foundation.
The National Postcode Lottery (NPL) provides funding in the field of Parenting, Kodigo/Codigo and the strengthening of the new Protehami (Safety House) in Curaçao.
The Curaçao government is responsible for the observance of children's rights for the children in Curaçao. Yet there are children in Curaçao who live in unsafe conditions. UNICEF the Netherlands advises the local government and local organizations on child safety and work together to strengthen the child safety system. UNICEF shares technical expertise with the government of Curaçao, civil servants and professionals on how to help children in distress as quickly as possible.
