External opinion by George Bogdanov, Executive Director of the National Network in Bulgaria for Children, regarding the first Kosovo Scorecard Report on the state of children’s rights in the country published by the Coalition of NGOs for the Protection of Children – KOMF
Children in the Balkans face poverty, hardship and challenges within the family and community and are adversely affected by issues arising from unreformed education, health care, social protection and juvenile justice systems. Today, more than ever, a strong political will is needed for children in our societies to live better and have a happier childhood. A childhood where they grow up to be independent adults, capable of developing their full potential.
The role of civil society and children’s organizations is crucial in challenging politicians, political parties and decision-makers to reform education, social services, health care, justice and child welfare. First Report of the Scorecard for Kosovo – What is Kosovo’s Overall Rating for Child Care?” comes at an extremely important moment for Kosovo and for the entire Kosovar society, which is striving for European integration and for a more stable cohesion of all its policies.
This is also a moment when all of us in Europe, the Balkans and Kosovo are facing serious difficulties caused by the pandemic, wars, inflation and political processes that weaken the democratic foundations of our societies. Children are the most affected and this is why it is extremely important that this Kosovo Report presents a detailed overview of the main systemic issues faced by children, families, organizations and the country, which affect children’s growth and development.
The first edition of the annual monitoring report of the Coalition of NGOs for the Protection of Children – KOMF on the situation of children and the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Children is an important instrument for the enrichment and rationalization of the political and public discourse on children’s issues . The presented problems are numerous and to a large extent correspond to the Report that we in Bulgaria have been publishing for more than 10 years. Despite the progressive steps taken by state institutions and political parties in Bulgaria, much more effective action needs to be taken to change the lives of children, especially children from marginalized communities and children beyond large urban centers. This is precisely the role of civil society – to highlight problems and challenges and propose solutions for what needs to be improved, especially for children and families.
In addition to statistical information and in-depth analysis of children’s policies, the first report “Scorecard – What is the General Assessment of the State of Kosovo for Child Care?” gives over 100 recommendations to state institutions and politicians in Kosovo. The non-governmental sector in Kosovo that works with children and families deserves not just to be heard, but to be proactively and meaningfully consulted on all relevant laws and policies, along with their subsequent monitoring and evaluation. Combining the expertise of these professionals and highlighting problem areas for reform and action by the state is a great effort on behalf of civil society organizations in Kosovo.
This monitoring report for children in Kosovo should definitely be developed and become an annual practice, so that every professional in the field looks forward to the second, third and all other editions of the report.
In this way, I strongly encourage you, in subsequent editions of the report, to integrate, following the example of the Report in Bulgaria, authentic materials prepared by children and young people, etc. data from analyzes and surveys of children from marginalized communities, children in alternative care, child victims, children in conflict with the law, children with special needs. Let the children and young people, authors in the Report, have a key role in presenting the report to the institutions and the wider public.
From now on, the experts and professionals of the Coalition of NGOs for the Protection of Children – KOMF will face every year the challenge of improving the Report and making it more and more acceptable and known not only to politicians, deputies and institutions , but also for the entire Kosovar society. Undoubtedly, the beginning is difficult, but it is important to lay the foundations for a constructive and critical discussion of the real problems faced by the children and families of Kosovo – a task which the Coalition has coped with brilliantly.
It is imperative that together we try to leave our children a better society and not be ashamed of our mistakes and omissions tomorrow! I wish good luck to all my Kosovar colleagues who have embraced the mission of protecting children’s rights.
Let’s be brave and determined!
