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MOGADISHU – The Somali Federal Government’s Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development today, Saturday, supported efforts to establish a national working team for the Child Helpline “116”, in a step aimed at strengthening institutional coordination and developing response mechanisms for reports concerning the protection of children, women and the most vulnerable groups. The move came during a consultative meeting organized by the ministry’s Emergency Hotline and Service Referral Department, with representatives from government, security and health institutions and civil society organizations, to discuss ways of building a more integrated mechanism for receiving, referring and following up on cases.
The Director of the Emergency Hotline and Service Referral Department explained that the Child Helpline “116” represents an important tool for responding to reports related to violence and violations affecting children and women, noting that its role extends from receiving reports to referring cases to the relevant authorities and following them up until victims receive the required protection and services. She stressed that improving the hotline’s performance requires stronger coordination among institutions and service providers, clearly defined responsibilities and referral pathways that ensure rapid handling of cases and continuity of care and support.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Health, the Somali Police, Benadir Regional Administration, Benadir Maternity and Children’s Hospital and Medina Hospital, as well as women’s and non-governmental organizations and other entities concerned with protection. Participants discussed ways to improve cooperation and information sharing and develop procedures for handling cases from the moment a report is received through referral and follow-up, helping reduce gaps and strengthen integration among entities responsible for providing protection and services.
The Director of the Child Affairs Department said that building an effective child protection system requires accurate data and secure mechanisms for information sharing among relevant entities, helping assess cases, identify victims’ needs and direct them to appropriate services. She stressed the importance of protecting the privacy, safety and dignity of children and women and ensuring that their data is handled responsibly, as this is an essential element in strengthening confidence in the reporting and protection system and encouraging affected individuals to seek assistance.
The step comes as part of the ministry’s efforts to develop an integrated national system for protecting children and women by expanding cooperation among government institutions, the health sector, security agencies, local administrations and civil society organizations. A multi-sector national team could help standardize referral procedures, clarify roles, improve information flow and strengthen the ability to respond to cases more rapidly and systematically, supporting victims’ access to the protection and services they need.
Child protection systems require reliable reporting channels as well as institutions capable of turning reports into practical responses and following up on cases continuously. In this context, developing the “116” helpline and forming a national team bringing together different sectors could strengthen links between reporting, referral and service delivery and help address gaps that may delay responses to cases. Improving data quality and protecting victims’ privacy can also contribute to building a more effective and sustainable system that places the protection of children and women and the preservation of their rights and dignity at the heart of national institutional work.
