The ACT Framework is a macro-level monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework containing a compendium of indicators to track and measure social norms change resulting from social and behavior change interventions addressing female genital mutilation (FGM). At the heart of the ACT framework is a set of 10 questions that can be used to create a…

The Child Protection learning brief, , Responding to the mental health and psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on children and families, , has been prepared for UNICEF country offices and practitioners as they respond to mental health and psychosocial impact during the pandemic. This real-time emergent learning brief draws on evidence from current country experiences and identifies emerging mental health risks; highlights programme responses and adaptations; and outlines key points…

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti, – Mariam Kako was just five years old when she was subjected to female genital mutilation. “I can remember everything, every little detail about that day, those moments,” she says. “It’s all still in my head, where it happened, who held me down, the balcony above me. And how it was all masked by a party with gifts and music.” Mariam’s clitoris,…

If you were born after 1995 then you won’t remember life before the Internet. Being connected through smartphones and social media is now just a part of growing up for many children and adolescents. Most of them have positive experiences online, but there are risks involved, including whether the excessive use of social media can ultimately harm…, Designed for excessive use, It is no secret that social media platforms were deliberately designed to hold users' attention as long as possible, tapping into psychological biases and vulnerabilities relating to our desire for validation and fear of rejection. Too much passive use of social media – just browsing posts – can be unhealthy and has been linked to feelings of envy…, Exacerbating loneliness, The feelings triggered by a ‘like’ can temporarily relieve feelings of loneliness, but they cannot replace socializing altogether. When adolescents who feel lonely offline use social media to compensate for less developed social skills, they may end up feeling even more lonely in the long run. The meaningful relationships we build face to face,…, Cyberbullying, Insecurities are easily exacerbated by peers on social media. Bullies can disseminate violent, hurtful and humiliating words and images with the tap of a key. Though the violence may be perpetrated digitally, the repercussions are tangible. Research  shows that victims of cyberbullying are more likely to use alcohol and drugs and skip school than…, Quality control, Building healthy social media habits is crucial to avoiding potential mental health risks. Usage should be moderate and balanced with real social time with family and friends. Deciding how much is too much inevitably depends on the individual’s age, character traits and the culture they are living in. However, the influences of the content…, Listen to teens, While adults rightly worry about the implications of excessive social media use, adolescents have a right to have their voices heard in matters that concern them. But they are rarely consulted in these debates. Teens’ own voices and experiences are important to guide emerging policy and practice. After all, young people often have more expertise…, The private sector’s role, As both the drivers and benefactors of the social media revolution, tech companies and designers should offer a range of user friendly tools that help parents create age-appropriate environments. They could also change the design to create an environment that is conducive to more meaningful conversations and less browsing and liking. While it may…

More action is needed to address the devastating impact of prolonged conflicts on the mental health of children and young people

A teenager grapples with raising her child among gang violence in El Salvador.

Youth Activate Talks bring young change-makers to the stage both to inspire young people to take action and to showcase to decision-makers the ways that young people are already supporting the Goals. This how-to guide explores ways to engage children and young people with an ‘Activate Talk’ format. Download file (PDF, 617,46 KB)

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti, – Mariam Kako est née le 13 avril 1986 à Arhiba, une banlieue de Djibouti. Elle avait tout juste 5 ans lorsqu’elle a été victime de mutilations génitales féminines. « Je me souviens parfaitement de cette journée, de chaque moment, du moindre petit détail. Tout est encore bien présent dans ma tête, là où c’est arrivé, qui me tenait, le balcon au-…, « Pour la santé de nos filles », En 2005, soit 14 ans après avoir été mutilée, Mariam a été invitée à participer à un programme d’autonomisation des communautés au cours duquel elle a découvert les conventions internationales sur les droits des enfants et des femmes, la démocratie, la santé, l’environnement, la protection des enfants et la gestion de projet. Cette formation a été…, « La tradition s’arrête ici », Vers la fin de sa formation, Mariam a épousé Ali. Elle est rapidement tombée enceinte, et a donné naissance à une petite fille. Pour la jeune mère, une chose était certaine : elle ne voulait pas que sa fille subisse de MGF. « Ma petite fille était parfaite. J’ai regardé ma mère, et je lui ai dit qu’elle n’avait pas le droit de la faire exciser,…, « Le droit à un corps complet », L’intensification des efforts pour abandonner les MGF relève d’une stratégie gouvernementale conçue en collaboration avec l'UNFPA et l’UNICEF, et qui commence par l’éducation de la population. Les organisations proposent des ateliers dans tout le pays pour encourager la population à parler des MGF et réfuter leur lien avec la religion. « Pour…

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti,  – Mariam Kako nació en Arhiba, un suburbio de la ciudad de Djibouti, el 13 de abril de 1986. Con solo cinco años fue sometida a la mutilación genital femenina. “Me acuerdo de todo; recuerdo cada detalle de ese día, de esos momentos”, asegura. “Sigue todo en mi cabeza: dónde ocurrió, quién me sujetaba, el balcón que tenía encima. Y también cómo lo…, “Por la salud de nuestras hijas”, Más de 10 años después, en 2005, Mariam recibió una invitación para participar en un programa de empoderamiento de la comunidad en el que aprendió acerca de la convención internacional sobre los derechos de los niños y las mujeres, la democracia, la salud, el medioambiente, la protección infantil y la gestión de proyectos. La formación la impartió…, “La tradición termina aquí”, Cuando estaba a punto de terminar la formación, Mariam se casó con el que ahora es su esposo, Ali. Poco después se quedó embarazada y, cuando dio a luz a una niña, supo que no quería que la sometieran a la mutilación genital femenina. “Mi bebé era perfecta. Yo miré a mi madre y le dije que le prohibía hacerle la ablación a mi hija. La tradición…, “El derecho a un cuerpo íntegro y completo”, La intensificación de los esfuerzos para erradicar la mutilación genital femenina forma parte de una estrategia del gobierno, en colaboración con el UNFPA y UNICEF, que comienza educando a la población. Las organizaciones imparten talleres por todo el país en los que animan a la gente a hablar sobre la mutilación y desmienten que esté ligada a la…