Our first meeting about the campaign in Zambia.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Alternatives to detention are more affordable, effective and more humane. Alternatives really are the answer when it comes to ending child detention : while laws can end child detention, it is alternatives that enable children\u2019s rights to be respected and protected. <\/span><\/p>\nI was impressed by the significant work underway to develop alternatives in the countries I visited. One example that I found really exciting was the National Referral Mechanism which provides guidelines to identify vulnerable groups like refugees, victims of human trafficking and children, to ensure that they are not detained unnecessarily or for prolonged periods.<\/span><\/p>\nIt\u2019s basically this small book, which provides much needed information for border guards, police, members of the judiciary etc \u2013 basically the front line workers who engage with migrants. It outlines assistance that is available for vulnerable migrants and, crucially, promotes coordination of national stakeholders so that protection can actually be provided by the right people with expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Inside the book, you\u2019ll find a poster that can be removed, ready to adorn the walls of your workplace. There\u2019s also a series of infographics. At first glance, they are a bit complicated \u2013 but for those who understand the content, they are a really helpful way to help people navigate a complex migration system.<\/span><\/p>\nSo what does all of this have to do with children in detention? And why on earth was I so excited by this book?<\/p>\n
This small, unassuming book contains the power to prevent children who are travelling without their families (unaccompanied children, is the technical term used) from being placed in detention.<\/p>\n
Detention is harmful for all people, but it is especially harmful for children.<\/p>\n
Many of the advocates that I work with feel the negative impacts of detention throughout their entire lives. Detention is traumatizing, and that is trauma that stays with you, and in moments you never expect, it surfaces, derailing people from being able to live productive, healthy lives.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
IDC Africa Coordinator, Junita Calder, very kindly puts up with my request to stand next to the poster that explains the referral process. Yes, I am so excited by this tool that I asked her to pose next to it and take this dorky picture. Thanks for sharing my enthusiasm, Junita!<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
This tool, produced in large part due to the excellent work of <\/span>IOM Zambia<\/span><\/a>, provides a way to make a better future for these children. <\/span><\/p>\nOf course, children who migrate with their families are still detained in Zambia. And that\u2019s not up to international standards and needs to change. But a tool like this one shows that it is possible to strengthen systems to prevent harm, even in countries that have relatively little in the way of resources. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
If you would like to know more, get in touch: Leeanne@endchilddetention.org<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Much has been written about the wide, open plains of Africa; the stillness, the sense of time, the sense of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":8004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[117,73],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
One Little Book Can Lead to a Whole Lot of Change - End Child Detention<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n