With the support of South Programme IV, the first online Tunisian international summer school on the rights of the child in the period of the Covid-19 pandemic was held on 7-9 September at the initiative of the Tunisian international Center of the rights of the child, the National Observatory on the Rights of the Child and other partner institutions.

The course aimed at reviewing the main international instruments in the field of combating violence against children, as well as their implementation by Tunisia in the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children in the light of the Council of Europe Convention on Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse “The Lanzarote Convention" were presented by a Council of Europe expert, former President of the Lanzarote Committee.

The Minister of Women, Family, Children and Seniors, the Director General of the Observatory of the rights of the child, university professors, as well national and international experts have taken part in the event. Concrete measures to protect children during the pandemic, such as strengthening support services or setting up online reporting portals for child sexual abuse, were discussed. It should be noted that Tunisia has set up a reporting portal in June 2021 with the support of the South Programme IV.

The presentations delivered during the event will be compiled in a manual to be published at a later stage.

The South Programme IV is a joint programme of the Council of Europe and the European Union, financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.