Post by NGO Girls

The NGO Girls and Save the Children (Врятуймо дітей) held a roundtable discussion titled “Fostering a Culture of Safety and Health Among Children and Youth: Cross-Sectoral Collaboration and Protection Tools.” The event served as a platform for cross-sectoral dialogue. Representatives from relevant ministries, government agencies, educational institutions, the police, civil society and international organizations participated in the expert discussion. They discussed how children and adolescents are often unaware of their rights, do not understand what personal boundaries are, and do not know where to turn in cases of violence. Furthermore, systemic barriers limit young people’s access to reproductive health services. Based on the discussion, the NGO Girls prepared recommendations that reflect the shared vision of all event participants and will serve as the foundation for further cooperation, improvement of the regulatory framework, and the development of practical tools. “It is important for us to go beyond the scope of our own programs—to bring together the government, international partners, and the civil society sector around one table so that systemic changes in child protection occur not in isolated instances, but at all levels,” emphasized Dr Yuliya Sporysh, director of the NGO Girls. Children’s safety is the responsibility of all of us: the education sector, the medical community, the police, communities, and every adult in their lives. The project is implemented with financial support from the Government of Sweden (SIDA). The content of this material is the sole responsibility of the NGO “Girls” and does not necessarily reflect the views of Save the Children and the Government of Sweden (SIDA). Save the Children Ukraine