Supporting the Time-Bound Programme for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in the Dominican Republic--Phase II (2006-2009)

This project is Phase II of the project supporting the Time-Bound Programme (TBP) in the Dominican Republic (DR) and, as such, is an essential part of a major national effort to combat the worst forms of child labour (WFCL). Previous implemented projects, including the Preparatory Phase, have strengthened capacity to fight against the WFCL: national institutions have produced valuable information on the issue; consensus has been built in recognizing CL as a national problem; support has been provided in designing and implementing a Child Labour Monitoring System; a National Strategic Plan against the WFCL has been adopted which defines priority intervention sectors and sites, establishes clear goals and specifies the role and commitment of the different government agencies involved. Likewise, a National Plan for the elimination of CSEC was prepared and adopted in March 2003. The normative framework has been improved and the problem of child labour included in the training programmes of relevant government organizations. To date, through Direct Action Programmes (-APs- that consist of direct support interventions for beneficiaries at local level), 8,449 girls, boys and adolescents have been withdrawn from CL and another 16,990 cases prevented from engaging in CL. The Phase II aims to ensure the sustainability of interventions and models developed during the previous phase. Achievements and gaps were discussed at several strategic planning meetings, attended by national, local and sectoral actors, where the Strategic Programme Impact Framework (SPIF) methodology was used. The basic inputs of the current design are based on the outcome of these workshops and the experience gained during the implementation of projects for eradicating WFCL in the Dominican Republic. Project activities have two strategic components: 1. Consolidating the enabling environment at the national level. This component has three main aspects: a) Awareness raising and social mobilization; b) Information and monitoring; and c) Strengthening of the institutional capacity. To ensure sustainability, emphasis will be placed on increasing the technical capacity of GOs so that they can replicate experiences and expand the models to combat the WFCL. 2. Local level interventions whose immediate objectives are to prevent and withdraw girls and boys from engaging in the WFCL. In light of the lessons learned during the Phase I, the project will have an area-based approach. Direct action will be carried out in: • Southwest region (provinces of Azua, San Juan de la Maguana and Barahona); • Province of Santiago; • Santo Domingo. All interventions will aim at withdrawing/preventing children from exploitative labour by: • Increasing school attendance and retention in basic education; • Increasing access to professional/technical training programmes for 14 - 17 year olds; • Improving income generation options for the families of working girls and, boys. A total of 5,100 children between the ages of 5 and 17 will be targeted for withdrawal and prevention from hazardous work through the provision of educational and other services (such as vocational training, health services, legal support) 2,900 of them will be withdrawn from work and 2,200 will be prevented from starting child labour. All children in the project will receive educational and/or training services. 300 families in targeted communities will benefit by receiving the following services: income generation (excluding revolving funds), formation of parents’ groups and community organization, information and orientation on child labour, skills training and criteria for eligibility for micro credit and micro health support services. Donor contributions will total 2.7 million US dollars, for a 39-month period starting on September 30, 2006.

Project symbol

DOM/06/50/USA

Admin unit

DWT/CO-San Jose

Start date

30/09/2006

End date

31/12/2009

Total allocation

2603910

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

2603910

Development Partners

USA, United States Department of Labor, Bureau for International Labor Affairs, Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking

Country/Countries

Dominican Republic

Outcomes

Child Labour