The spatialisation of child protection: notes from the occupied Palestinian territory

Abstract

This paper considers the employment of spatialised practice within child protection efforts as pursued by humanitarian agencies. Starting from a brief overview of the genealogy of enclosure and separation within both humanitarianism and in relation to childhood, examination is then made of spatialisation in the setting of the occupied Palestinian territory. It is argued that in a situation of occupation, the spatialised approach entails numerous problems that are both practical and political in nature.

La spatialisation de la protection de l'enfance : notes du territoire palestinien occupé

Cet article traite de l'utilisation de pratiques spatialisées dans le cadre des efforts de protection de l'enfance par les agences humanitaires. En commençant par un bref aperçu de la généalogie de l'enfermement et de la séparation à la fois dans le cadre de l'humanitarisme et par rapport à l'enfance, un examen est ensuite effectué de la spatialisation dans le contexte du territoire palestinien occupé. Il est soutenu que, dans une situation d'occupation, l'approche spatialisée donne lieu à de nombreux problèmes qui sont de nature pratique et politique.

A espacialização da proteção infantil: notas do território palestino ocupado

Este artigo considera o emprego de práticas de espacialização nos esforços de proteção infantil implementados por agências humanitárias. Iniciando com uma breve visão geral da genealogia do isolamento e separação dentro do humanitarismo em relação à infância, é feito então um exame da espacialização na criação do território Palestino ocupado. Argumenta-se que em uma situação de ocupação, a abordagem de espacialização envolve vários problemas de natureza prática e política.

La espacialización de la protección de la niñez: notas desde el territorio palestino ocupado

Este ensayo analiza cómo las agencias humanitarias utilizan el método de espacialización en sus acciones destinadas a la protección de la niñez. El análisis comienza con un breve repaso a la genealogía del cercamiento y del aislamiento en los ámbitos humanitario y de la niñez, seguido por una revisión de la espacialización en el contexto del territorio palestino ocupado. El ensayo sostiene que, en una situación de ocupación, el método de espacialización acusa varios problemas de índole práctica y política.

Keywords:

• Gender and diversity
• Social sector
• Aid
• Arab States

Acknowledgements

I should like to express my immense gratitude to Claudia Lo Forte for her invaluable work in conducting research that informs this paper and for her collaboration in developing the line of argument expressed herein.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jason Hart

Jason Hart is a Lecturer in the Department of Social and Policy Studies, University of Bath, and a Research Associate at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford. Much of Jason's work has explored the experience of young people on the margins of society and the global economy – relating these to the values, assumptions and approaches of agencies seeking to provide support. Children living in situations of political violence and forced displacement have been a particular focus of much of his research and writing. His principal area of interest is the Middle East, particularly Israel and occupied Palestinian territories, and Jordan.