Charities Launch New Compact to Help End Orphanages Worldwide, Echoing UK Government Commitment
The UK Department for International Development commits to promoting support for family and community-based care for all children.
On the occasion of the Global Disability Summit (24th July, London), the UK Government became the first major donor of its kind to explicitly commit to promoting family and community-based care for all children.
Championing families and not orphanages, Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt, announced:
Orphanages are harmful to children and it is often those with disabilities who are placed in them the most. This needs to end, which is why I’m committed to the long-term plan to ensure all children grow up with a family of their own.
An NGO alliance including Hope and Homes for Children, Lumos, Save the Children and HealthProm, have joined forces to echo the UK Government’s commitment and support global change for children trapped in orphanages, especially those with disabilities who are the furthest left behind. The launch of the new ‘Civil Society Compact' sets out a pathway for change to help end the institutionalisation of children worldwide.
Recognising that institutionalisation harms children – and that children with disabilities are over-represented in institutions - we commit to work together toward eliminating the institutionalisation of children globally. Ensuring our organisations do not contribute towards the institutionalisation of children, directly or indirectly - and in line with international treaties and best practice, we share the UK Government’s pledge to enable all children to have the opportunity to realise their right to family care.
HealthProm is a proud signatory to the CSO Compact.
List of signatories:
Save the Children UK
World Vision
Plan International UK
Human Rights Watch
Islamic Relief Worldwide
Disability Rights International
Hope and Homes for Children
Lumos
DeafKidz International
Home for Good
Better Care Network
Friends International
Chance for Childhood
HealthProm
Forget Me Not Australia
Next Generation Nepal
One Sky Foundation
Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
#NowIsTheTime
#FamiliesNotOrphanages
