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Reforming Lebanon’s child protection system: Lessons for international child welfare efforts

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  • El-Hoss, Thomas

Abstract

Lebanon’s fledgling child protection (CP) system has been criticised for being fragmented and overly crisis-driven to the detriment of the children served. This article conceptualises Lebanon’s ‘pluralistic’ model and is the first to examine the contentious government reforms which have taken place since 2014. Drawing on 54 semi-structured stakeholder interviews, we examine how the state has wrested power from religious authorities, introduced national CP practice standards, and increased supervision of non-governmental services. This paper argues that these reforms have moved Lebanon further towards an integrated, legalistic and procedural CP approach. However, unresolved challenges remain to reconcile the competing roles, interests and capabilities of the state, the non-governmental sector, and religious authorities under one cohesive framework. This paper recommends strengthening support for the non-governmental sector, improving inclusion of community-based protection mechanisms, and reengagement with religious family courts to better meet the needs of children. The study not only has important implications for the development of Lebanon’s protection system but also for the theories and practice debates surrounding system building in low and middle-income countries and the Middle-East and North African region.

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  • El-Hoss, Thomas, 2023. "Reforming Lebanon’s child protection system: Lessons for international child welfare efforts," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:148:y:2023:i:c:s0190740923000531
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106858
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexander Krueger & Guy Thompstone & Vimala Crispin, 2014. "Learning from Child Protection Systems Mapping and Analysis in West Africa: Research and Policy Implications," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 5(1), pages 47-55, February.
    2. Waleed Hazbun, 2016. "Assembling security in a ‘weak state:’ the contentious politics of plural governance in Lebanon since 2005," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(6), pages 1053-1070, June.
    3. Markus Loewe & Rana Jawad, 2018. "Introducing social protection in the Middle East and North Africa: Prospects for a new social contract?," International Social Security Review, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 71(2), pages 3-18, April.
    4. Karshenas, Massoud & Moghadam, Valentine M. & Alami, Randa, 2014. "Social Policy after the Arab Spring: States and Social Rights in the MENA Region," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 726-739.
    5. Thomas W. Haase, 2018. "A Challenging State of Affairs: Public Administration in the Republic of Lebanon," International Journal of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(10), pages 792-806, July.
    6. Piper, Kathryn A., 2017. "Differential response in child protection: How much is too much?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 69-80.
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    1. Baghdadi, F. & Rauktis, M.E. & Hands, C. & John, A. & Khanom, A. & El Mhamdi, S. & Soussi, A. & Snooks, H., 2024. "Using a systems perspective to examine child protection systems and practice: A scoping review on child abandonment and institutionalisation in the Maghreb," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).

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