Jordan Times
Friday, February 27, 2004
ISPCAN launches Arab Network to eradicate child abuse
By Jumana Bississo
AMMAN — After three days of “fruitful talks” at the First Arab International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) Conference, participants on Thursday launched the Arab Network.The network is the region's first collaborative effort in eradicating child maltreatment, Government Spokesperson and Chairman of the Conference's Higher Committee Asma Khader said.
“It is one positive outcome of the conference, and will help us work seriously towards following up on the recommendations agreed upon in the conference's final report,” Khader told the press yesterday.
“Her Majesty Queen Rania's presence helped encourage and motivate all concerned parties at the conference... the government also showed its deep commitment to the initiative when dealing with abused children, child labour, orphans and refugees,” Khader said.
The network — detailing the progression of works involved in the area of child abuse and neglect in the region — brings together “all Arabs of a personal or institutional capacity based on specific criteria,” who are interested in getting involved in child protection programmes, National Council of Family Affairs representative Reem Abu Hassan told The Jordan Times.
“We still have a lot ahead of us to accomplish, but establishing the Arab Network is definitely a step in the right direction,” said Abu Hassan.
“It is an honour to witness the birth of this network, which will involve very enthusiastic and knowledgeable individuals in the country and region,” said ISPCAN Director Marcellina Mian, here from Canada.
ISPCAN will partner with the network, providing a source of information and experience between the Arab region and the international organisation, she added.
A number of recommendations emerged from the conference, including the need for developing national frameworks in all Arab countries protecting children and families; enlisting government support to strengthen child protection efforts; and parental training adopting ways to discipline children other than corporal punishment, according to a conference statement.
With child abuse awareness, treatment and hopes of prevention slowly moving to the forefront of regional issues, international organisations, such as UNICEF have also played a role in strengthening support.
“This year, our regional focus will be on addressing violence against children in both the school and home environment,” explained UNICEF Regional Director Anne Skatvedt.
UNICEF is currently conducting a series of studies in seven countries in the region on the use of violence in the home and school environment, and “the results we have begun to see will keep us very busy in the years to come,” she added.
The forum brought together more than 170 participants from 23 different Arab and foreign nations seeking to assess the scope of child abuse in the region, to discover various means of prevention, intervention and treatment, as well as to encourage an interdisciplinary approach in dealing with violence against children.
The three-day event was supported by a number of local companies and government entities, including the Greater Amman Municipality, Royal Jordanian, Jordan Tourism Board and the Arab Potash Company.
The conference will be held every two years, with the next forum slated for Lebanon in 2005, followed by the third in Egypt in 2007.