On the day of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, KOMF calls on institutions to intervene with concrete actions to guarantee protection and well-being for all children in Kosovo.

Children victims of sexual abuse, children with disabilities, children involved in child labour and children victims of drug abuse need immediate protection and support from institutions.

In recent years, there has been a continuous increase in the number of cases of crimes against the sexual integrity of children, such as rape, sexual assault, etc. Criminal offenses against the sexual integrity of children are occurring in environments such as families, communities, and even in institutions mandated for the protection of children, such as educational institutions, schools, etc.

The cases of sexual abuse of children painfully prove not only the clumsiness and incompetence of the child protection system, but also the marked lack of seriousness of the entire justice system in dealing with and punishing perpetrators of child abuse.

On the other hand, children with disabilities in Kosovo do not enjoy their rights to education, health and social welfare and face numerous challenges. The main challenge of children with disabilities remains access and inclusion, so that they can reach their full potential.

For children involved in child labor and children victims of drug abuse, there is a significant lack of basic services necessary for their health and well-being.

Investments in the health sector in Kosovo are among the lowest in the region. The out-of-pocket expenses of the citizens are high, in the absence of the health insurance fund.

In general, social services continue to be in a difficult condition, while the demand for these services is continuously increasing. There is a lack of services for children in need, especially prevention and reintegration services. In order to ensure the provision of quality and sustainable services for children, sustainable financing of social services is necessary.

KOMF appeals to urgently invest in strengthening existing services and establishing the missing ones, to guarantee that every child enjoys a dignified life.