In Lubny, Poltava region, more than 8.5 thousand children have been restored the right to adequate social protection guaranteed by the state
War endangers not only the territorial integrity of the state, but also the well-being of its citizens, especially children, who become the most vulnerable category in crisis conditions. Children deprived of parental care, orphans, those who live in difficult life circumstances need special protection. Ensuring their rights and stable development is the duty of the state, which becomes especially important during wartime.
The lack of an adequate social protection mechanism can lead to the fact that the most vulnerable categories of children are without the necessary help, supervision and support. Against this background, the situation that has developed in the city of Lubny in the Poltava region is indicative, but also inspires hope thanks to positive changes.
The problem of lack of status for children’s services
In the city of Lubny, there are 8,618 children who, due to various circumstances, need appropriate social protection. However, for a long time, the service for children of the executive committee of the Lubensk City Council of the Lubensk District did not have the status of a legal entity, which significantly limited its functions and opportunities to make critically important decisions regarding children. About this fact reported Dmytro Lubinets, Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Without the status of a legal entity, the service was deprived of such powers as:
- making decisions on temporary placement of children left without parental care;
- execution of acts on inspection of living conditions or assessment of the child’s safety level;
- representation of children’s interests in courts.
This situation contradicted the requirements of the legislation and created risks of deterioration of the situation of children who need special protection of the state.
Decisions to protect children’s rights
According to Dmytro Lubenets, thanks to the active intervention of the responsible persons and the initiative to correct the situation, it was possible to achieve a significant breakthrough. A submission was sent to the competent authorities, as well as an appeal to the mayor of Luben. The result of this process was the adoption of a decision of the Lubensk City Council to grant the status of a legal entity under public law to the service for children’s affairs of the executive committee. This decision will enter into force on January 1, 2025.
What will change from 2025
The new status will open up the following opportunities for the children’s service:
- prompt decision-making regarding children left without parental care;
- ensuring proper monitoring and assessment of children’s living conditions;
- effective representation of children’s interests in court;
- creation of a system of timely response to cases when children find themselves in difficult life circumstances.
This will ensure a more transparent, responsible and speedy resolution of issues related to child protection.
War should not become an excuse for neglecting children’s rights. On the contrary, it obliges the state, communities and responsible bodies to act even more actively to ensure that children have the opportunity to grow up in safety and decent conditions. The case in Lubny is an example of how even in the difficult conditions of war, changes aimed at supporting children can be implemented.
Social protection is not only help in a difficult moment, but also a guarantee of stable development of society. The state must guarantee that children will feel supported and their rights will be reliably protected. After all, the future of Ukraine depends on how we protect our children today.
