Protecting Children from Exploitation & Violence Begins with Early Intervention and an Integrated Protection System

Ramallah – On the occasion of the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, the Ministry of Social Development emphasized that protecting children from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect is one of its core responsibilities.

Through its specialized child protection teams across its directorates, the Ministry works to monitor children at risk, provide case management, conduct family assessments and follow-up, and facilitate referrals to specialized services, in coordination with government authorities, civil society organizations, and partners working in child protection.

During 2026, the Ministry also adopted unified procedures for managing women's and children's protection case files, aimed at accelerating response times, standardizing professional procedures, and improving the quality of protection services.

The Ministry provides protection services for children under the age of 18 who experience or are at risk of domestic violence, community violence, or violence related to the occupation. These services also include care and shelter when necessary, alongside interventions with families to safeguard the best interests of the child and support their reintegration into a safe environment whenever possible.

In the Gaza Strip, protection risks have intensified due to displacement, the loss of one or both parents, the breakdown of family care networks, poverty, and the loss of income sources.

The Ministry warned that these circumstances increase children's vulnerability to homelessness, child labour, exploitation, and early marriage, in addition to causing severe psychological distress.

In cooperation with local and international partners, the Ministry continues to support alternative care programmes, psychosocial support services, and the documentation and follow-up of child protection cases.

The Ministry emphasized that child protection cannot be achieved by a single institution acting alone. It called on families, institutions, schools, civil society organizations, and international partners to strengthen reporting and referral mechanisms, invest in prevention, and build the capacities of child protection professionals.

These efforts are essential to ensuring that children at risk receive timely protection, care, and support.