Why do people need protection?

Women and Children affected by armed conflict, political instability and/or natural disaster can be particularly vulnerable to human rights violations. During conflict, civilians have a heightened risk of intimidation, physical and sexual abuse, forced recruitment, landmines, attacks by armed groups and disease. Furthermore, people in conflict and natural disaster situations can be vulnerable to deliberate discrimination and deprivation in health, education, property rights, access to water and economic opportunities.

In these situations, family, community and government structures that usually provide a protective environment can break down. Power dynamics can be exacerbated and exploited, causing some individuals or groups to become vulnerable to abuse, deliberate violence and discrimination.

What is protection?

Protection means improving safety and security. Eeffective protection aims to reduce Women and Children and community vulnerability to risks, reduce threats by targeting perpetrators and those in authority, and empower people to increase their right to safety and security with dignity.

We have a rights-based approach. Our work is guided by legal framework, and we work with individuals and communities, not as passive beneficiaries but agents of change and rights-holders. We work with people at risk with the aim of identifying protective strategies aimed at preventing risks and threats, increasing access to rights, and improving safety and security.

Who has the responsibility to protect?

Governments are responsible for protecting civilians within their territory. However, people cannot always rely on their governments to ensure their safety and basic rights.

Where governments are unable or unwilling to prevent or respond to violations or abuses, the international community has the duty to ensure that the rights, dignity and safety of civilians are respected.

Protect Now - Our Response

WICEF established the Protect Now program in 2005 in recognition of the global challenge facing the international humanitarian community to ensure protection for people affected by conflict and natural disaster, coupled with the ongoing failure of governments to take responsibility for their own civilians.

Protection and empowerment are the two key features of Austcare's mission: to work with people affected by conflict and natural disaster to build human security.

Austcare's Protect Now program covers four integrated elements:

1. Child Protection

WICEF has prioritised protection and commitment as a core element of our work . WICEF has commenced an initiative to integrate a protection lens into our preparedness, emergency and early recovery programs.

2. Women Protection

For Individual aware offer:

• Training. AWARE training is focused on self-defense skills that can enable you to avoid, resist, and survive situations ranging from low levels of aggression to violent assault.
• Information. Our website contains a wealth of information, and we can provide lots more by phone or email. Do you have a question? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Advice and referrals. Whether you need to know how to find a trainer, lawyer, or stalking expert, or how to report cybercrime, harassment, stalking, domestic or relationship violence, we can help.

For Organisation aware offer:

• Group training. Many AWARE classes can be given on-site, and can be tailored to the needs of your organization. Assault Prevention is one of the most requested classes.
• Information. Self-defense instructors, law enforcement professionals, social workers, rape crisis counselors, human resource employees, and people who work in victim services agencies find AWARE a source of information for dealing with difficult and potentially dangerous situations.
• Case management collaboration. For situations involving stalking and/or workplace violence, we can evaluate and advise.

WICEF's Rapid Response Register

Download Rapid Response Registration

Other useful resources:

3. Advocacy and campaigning

WICEF raises awareness in Aceh for vulnerable people's concerns, gathering support for new initiatives (such as the Responsibility to Protect), and advocating with humanitarian agencies to develop a common protection framework.