himaya
himaya is a lebanese NGO founded in 2009 with the objective of fighting child abuse.
Our Mission
Child abuse is a critical issue that has long been neglected in our society where child labour, child prostitution and early marriage still occur regularly.
An alarming study conducted in 2008, showed that 1 out of 6* children in Lebanon are victims of sexual abuse. This refers to only 1 out of 4 types of abuse a child can be exposed to: physical, psychological, sexual abuse and neglect.
himaya launched with a controversial media campaign aimed to break the taboo surrounding child sexual abuse especially incest and risky environments. The organisation continued to grow as it responded to child protection needs on a national level.
The team grew exponentially form one social worker in 2008 to a multidisciplinary team and is now present on most of the Lebanese territory. In order to ensure the achievement of its mission, Himaya works not only with the child but with his family and environment as a whole.
himaya strives for change on a national level in order to improve the lives of children in Lebanon. himaya covers several areas in Lebanon including Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the North, South, and the Bekaa with continuous plans of expansion to other regions. Himaya is the only NGO in Lebanon which works to prevent abuse, rehabilitate abused children, and socially reintegrate victims of abuse into the society..
Himaya offers its support through its 2 programs:
- Prevention program: life and communication skills, psycho-education, recreational activities
- Resilience program: psycho-social and legal support
On a national level, Himaya has become an important player in the field of child protection as it has closely collaborated with several Lebanese ministries of which the ministry of social affairs, education, justice, interior and telecommunication.
Every offering will help Himaya sustain its activities and have a real impact on the lives of children of Lebanon.
*Child Sexual Abuse: The Lebanese Situation by Kafa, Save the Children Sweden and the Ministry of Social Affairs, 2008