What is the CPP programme?

UNICEF’s Communication, Protection and participation (CPP) programme seeks to provide a human rights based framework to influence behavioral change for Somali children and youth. It focuses on communication for development, youth as agents of change, protecting children from violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination, and HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and control.

HIV/AIDS prevalence in Somalia is regarded as low despite the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the surrounding countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya. A baseline knowledge-attitudes-practices (KAP) and sero-prevalence study in the Northwest in 1999 found that the overall prevalence of HIV amongst antenatal patients was 0.9 percent. However, very mobile high risk groups have had an effect, and the numbers are changing.

In addition, Somalia has a high prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV and yet low awareness on HIV transmission could speed the spread of the virus. Combined with high levels of stigma and discrimination, these factors could quickly evolve into a serious problem unless there is rapid and adequate support for carefully designed HIV/AIDS prevention and control across Somalia.

Recent studies suggest violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination against children continue on a wide scale. Low education levels, poor access to safe water and sanitation, and inadequate health and nutrition services demonstrate a prevailing lack of human rights accountability within Somalia, for which children remain the foremost victims.