National Program for Health Homes for Girls at Risk of Social Harms; Goals, Role Models, Challenges, and Future Path

After leaving home, runaway girls face many problems that threaten their physical, mental, and social health. One of the programs implemented by the Welfare Organization is the establishment of separate and special centers for these people throughout the country. This study was conducted to explain the goals, service model, challenges and strategies to improve this program.

A qualitative study was conducted in 2016. Participants in the study included managers and experts from the departments of the Welfare Organization in 31 provinces, 21 members from the public mediators and partner organizations and 6 senior managers and experts in charge of the social deputy of the Welfare Organization. In order to collect data, three methods of document analysis and in-depth interviews and focus group discussion were used and the data were analyzed by content analysis.

Health centers for girls exposed to social harms have been set up in all provinces of the country since 1999.  The goals of the program are to support and care for girls exposed to social harms, to provide them with education, employment, self-sufficiency and independence, and to recognize their talents and abilities and guide them to use their abilities. The program faces challenges including poor public awareness and attitudes, insufficient cooperation broadcasting information, inadequate distribution, and inadequate allocation of financial budget, and insufficient commitments to implement the memorandums. Recommended solutions to improve the program include increasing the awareness of stakeholders, reviewing relevant guidelines, strengthening and updating training packages, developing an early audience identification protocol, creating opportunities for continuing education and employment for clients, strengthening and expanding places and programs. It is suitable for girlschr('39') leisure time, strengthening intersectoral coordination, passing and amending judicial laws in order to protect these girls.

Despite the services provided in health homes for runaway girls, it faces the challenges at the government and public levels. In order to improve the current situation, it is necessary to use the proposed solutions along with reviewing and correcting related processes.