Development of Child Protection Networks in NTT

Penulis/Peneliti: Lamtiur H. Tampubolon, Heru Prasadja, Achmad Taufan Damanik

Tahun 2002

In September 2000, UNICEF Child Protection officers conducted a visit to West Timor to evaluate the possibility of establishing an independent Child Protection Body (Lembaga Perlindungan Anak-LPA) in Kupang and meet with counterparts from local Government, NGO‘s, religious leaders and media. The mission concluded that in NTT, Kupang was the most appropriate place to establishing an independent Child Protection Body in accordance with its central geographical position and with the willingness of provinsial counterparts. Soon after the mission, UNICEF received a proposal from the existing LPA in Kupang to reposition the organization. Unfortunately, the process was stopped after the evacuation from West Timor.

In early 2001, UNICEF received a three-year joint support from NZODA and DFID to establish and/or strengthen child protection networks in NTT and NTB. While the process to establish a Child Protection Body could be started in NTB in 2001, the lack of access to West Timor delayed the process in NTT. As access to West Timor was still not possible, UNICEF was willing to explore alternative solutions to develop child protection network outside of West Tmor in NTT. A 4-weeks contract was made with a team of external consultant (2 persons from CSDS Atma Jaya Catholic University and a person from KKSP Medan) to conduct an assessment mission in several districts of NTT including Sikka, Ende, Sumba Barat, and Sumba Timur in March 2002. The outcomes of the assessment mission are needed to review the strategy for child protection activities in NTT for 2002.

Objectives:

1. To assess potential development of child protection networks in NTT.
2. To identify and assess the capcity of potential counterparts involved or interested in child protection issues in NTT.
3. To develop a strategy for developing of strengthening child protection network in NTT including recommendations for UNICEF interventions regarding child protection in NTT.

Data Collection Method:
To achieve the above mentioned objectives, non rigid Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and in depth interviewa were utilized to gather data in th field.

What we mean by a non rigid FGD is the total number of participants could reach 15 to 20 males and females from different background (for instance from NGO, Government, etc). While in-depth interviews were conducted with participants who did not attend FGD.