SOCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME

 

The MYDC has identified a gap in intervention and development programs in Mongolia, which specifically target young people who are homeless, at risk or involved in prostitution. The Social Support Program has therefore been established to address the needs of these young people.

Recently, the MYDC began to address the increasing issue of child prostitution by establishing a program to assist young prostitutes. The primary focus of the program is provide opportunities for young women and girls who are either prostitutes or at risk of entering prostitution, between 12 - 17 years of age:

    ·         to access information about health and safety, and

    ·         to develop skills in alternative employment options.

    ·         to increase the self-esteem of the target group, as well as

    ·         to provide opportunities for these young women to re-build trust in adults.

 Text Box: Case 1: I am 14 years old and live with my mother and her new partner. My mother is an alcoholic and in her absence I am often abused by her partner. I have a younger brother who is always hungry. I have to earn money to feed and clothe him, if my brother was happy I would not work as a prostitute and would be happy to live on the streets with no money. Every day I tell my mother that I am going to the Chinese cafe where she thinks I have a job and look for clients.

Project Description

 

The program was established following the completion of  a research project by the Save the Children's Fund in 1998.  A partnership arrangement was established between key stakeholders including the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the MYDC, the Police Department for Crimes Against Children, the Psychology and Teaching Department of the Mongolian National University, the Adolescents' Future Center, Temmuulel and the Lotus Children's Center, and Save the Children Fund.  The MYDC took the lead role in the project, and in conjunction with the Police Department traced 150 girls and young women who are either prostitutes or at risk of entering prostitution. The young women were interviewed and from this 70 (with 40 already working as prostitutes) were selected to begin the program.

Text Box: Case 2: I am 13 years old and live in the underground heating system with five friends. In the winter it is freezing cold, but in the summer it is better, If I am lucky a client may give me 4000 T ($4), however, sometimes he keeps the money. At the moment I am at the camp run by the MYDC and am very happy to have a good bed and nice food and I am enjoying the activities set up for us.

The initial assessment and following health check revealed that many of the young women had been sexually abused, and had high rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) (some 70% required treatment for STD's). In addition, many of the young women had experienced poor treatment and in some cases abuse, in children's homes.

To encourage participation the group were invited to the MYDC to be provided with food.  Following regular visits a number of the young women were invited to participate in summer camps, which will run twice for a period of ten days per camp.

Utilizing trained professional staff and a team of volunteers, the camp has a focus on recreation and fun.  Here the young women are supported to participate in games and activities that aims to increase the level of trust and positive interactions with each other and adults.  For those young women who are illiterate, informal education is also provided, as well as assistance to enroll in non-vocational courses upon return from camp.

The program has a well-designed follow up action plan, in which the young women are able to access counselling and support, additional health education and employment based skills development.  An additional section of the program will provide similar support and assistance to families.  In a country such as Mongolia, counselling and support services are extremely limited. This program ensures appropriate levels of support are provided to assist in achieving long-term improvements in the quality of live for participants.

At present there are no other established development programs that target this high-need and often hidden group of young people.  Therefore, in future the MYDC hopes to continue its work with young prostitutes and young women and girls at risk.

The project is presently funded by the International Labor Organization, with an additional financial contribution towards training from the New Zealand Aid Program.

 

MONGOLIAN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE 

www.owc.org.mn/mydc  Email sssmydc@magicnet.mn