Description
Globally, many children and adolescents may not reach their developmental potential. Poverty, undernutrition, childhood illness, child maltreatment, parental mental illness and substance use, exposure to violence, conflict and other early childhood adversities are among the risk factors affecting children’s ability to reach their developmental potential. Rigorous evidence demonstrated that parenting has the lifelong impacts of children’s healthy growth and development on human capital. Evidence-based parenting interventions support healthy growth and development, can prevent child maltreatment, and improve mental health of children, adolescents, and parents. However, access to such interventions remains inadequate.
In response to the challenges in caregiving practices posed to families, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, a coalition of partners including WHO, UNICEF, Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH), the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN), and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children (EVAC) launched the Global Initiative to Support Parents (GISP, May 2021). The ultimate vision of the GISP is to support country-led efforts, so that every family is supported in so that every family is supported in their caregiving practices and receives the support that they need to develop resilience and protect well-being.
ARNEC together with GISP, is hosting the first webinar in the series, entitled " Evidence, mapping and country case studies".
The objectives of the webinar are:
Present the rationale for parenting support as a key approach to improve the wellbeing of children
Develop a common understanding of evidence-based interventions and delivery models
Examine regional work in progress and gaps in interventions
Examine the role of different sectors, namely, health, education and child protection
Promote learning and sharing among countries to enhance support for parents