Iran, UNICEF launch joint projects to support vulnerable children, women
State Welfare Organization of Iran (SWO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) unveiled two collaborative projects aimed at assisting vulnerable children and empowering female-headed households.
These initiatives were announced during a meeting between Javad Hosseini, head of Iran's State Welfare Organization of Iran, and Dorina Andreev-Jitaru, UNICEF Representative in Iran, on Wednesday.
The first project focuses on providing support to orphaned, abandoned, and disabled children, particularly those affected by natural disasters and migration. The second aims to empower women who are the primary breadwinners of their families.
Hosseini highlighted that SWO currently offers over 170 services, reaching approximately 8 million individuals nationwide. These services include vision and hearing screenings, genetic counseling, and support for individuals with disabilities. The organization operates with a workforce of 19,000 full-time employees and 23,000 licensed non-governmental centers.
The collaboration with UNICEF has also extended to humanitarian efforts, such as providing relief packages to earthquake survivors in Khoy and distributing 1,600 tablets to underserved areas.
The partners plan to organize sports events for children under SCO’s care, conduct empowerment workshops for women in cities like Kerman, Zahedan, and Ahvaz, and implement a mentorship program for young adults transitioning out of care.
Hosseini emphasized the importance of continued support for these individuals beyond the age of 18, stating, "We believe that support should continue beyond the age of 18. UNICEF can assist in this regard."
He also noted that Iran's experience in community-based rehabilitation and disaster response could serve as a model for other countries.
Andreev-Jitaru praised SWO’s comprehensive approach, stating, "I doubt any organization exists that reaches its target population as extensively as this one."
She expressed UNICEF's commitment to supporting Iran's efforts to protect and empower vulnerable children and families.