Presented by Herman ZOUNGRANA, Protection programme Manager/ Terre des hommes

1. Conference on Child Protection systems strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa(May 7-9,2012),in Dakar, Senegal. NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION system strengthening Initiative : Experience on strengthening protection networks Presented by Herman ZOUNGRANA, Protection programme Manager/ Terre des hommes

2. The Working Group on Child Protection WGPC, was established in December 2009 and is composed of key stakeholders in children protection in Burkina Faso working together to set up a children welfare system: • Under the leadership of the Ministry of Social Action and National Solidarity(DPLVE, INFTS, SP-CNSPDE) • UNICEF • Terre des hommes - Lausanne • Save the Children - Canada • Plan - Burkina • Christian Children’s Fund - Canada • Fonds Enfant and GTZ • Red Cross Burkina Faso • Italian Center for Child Protection

3. Burkina Faso children are exposed to numerous risks: worst forms of child labor, school leaving, physical, sexual and psychological abuse, female circumcision, early marriage / forced, traffic etc.. ; Responses / strategies compartmentalized (Thematic projects) and thus, therefore, exclusive with institutional arrangements non-perennial (ad hoc); Child Protection Services of Social Action, legitimate spearheaded of Child protection are facing operational challenges (operationality, tools and working methods, low resources ...); 1°) some findings No overall scheme allowing clarification of roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in prevention area and detection of abuse as well as the child protection.

4. Limited capacity of the system to prevent abuse and detect, refer and protect victims; From these findings…….. Many interventions are struggling for sustainability: most actions are based on a fragile base with many challenges of accessibility to basic social services (Education, Health, Justice, Social Action ...)

5. 2°) What challenges against these findings? Act effectively for the benefit of children identified as vulnerable or victims (Logic beneficiaries/Support Protector)… … While working to improve the provision of full protection and non-stigmatizing and care quality (Child Protection Strengthening Systems) and acting so that there are no other undue risks in addition to the precarious environment. Priority stake: Provide every child access to adequate care and quality (the best response possible): A response in accordance with child problems , concerted, holistic, fast and efficient, to which the child himself has subscribed and participates To achieve this, a momentum in 2012 through the mapping exercise and analysis of the protection system under the aegis of MASSN

6. 3°) EXPECTATIONS FOR AN EFFECTIVE CHILD PROTECTION Tools and frameworks of adequate working aligned with international standards and harmonized (protocols of care intervention standards ...). An effective system of reporting, monitoring and information. Synergy and coordination between stakeholders at different levels of action (community-Local-decentralized services). Human and financial resources to provide responses and high quality support. Case management system established An early warning, detection and quick reporting system of cases.

7. 4°) Example of successful cooperation: networks of child protection in Sourou (TDH) Provincial network of child protection (Health Justice Social Action Social, Educational NGOs Services ...) based in Tugan (capital); Community networks in each village of the department of Toéni (Development Consultants villagers with youth village chiefs, Leaders of opinion and religious representation ...); Link between the 2 networks: Social Services: DPASSN Sourou (SPEA) and the Departmental Service of Toéni (created an opportunity for a better proximity).

8. 4.1. Advantages of this networking and synergies Knowledge and recognition framework as actors in child protection; Opportunity to enhance endogenous protective practices developed by communities; Framework of common measures / concerted and greater synergy for action and coordination (sensing / reference case conferences ...) Building framework the technical skills and capacities of actors' actions (training improved working methods ...) Community stakeholder for Awareness and Promotion of the Child Rights

9. 4.2. Some examples of practices(1/2) • Community Networks have a monitoring system (detection) and reporting of cases at the community social service or directly at the Provincial Network Protection; • In responses to children, members of the community network are full participants: mediation, monitoring of children reintegration ... Coordination Network (Attorney, Social Action Manager ...) regularly travels to villages for outreach and promotion activities of reporting methods;

10. 4.2. Some examples of practices(2/2) • Since 2010 Tdh and social services accompany the Community Network (CVD - Village Development Committee) of each village to make a diagnosis and develop a participatory community action plan of child protection; • Finally in the organization of conferences Cases by social services, members of the Network Community are Resource Persons especially important in finding appropriate solutions for children.

11. 5. Lessons learned and challenges • These networks provide frameworks for experimentation at central level (Ministry and WGPC) to have practical feedback (bottom-up logic) to further refine strategies and tools • It demonstrates the importance of reconciliation and synergy between institutional and community stakeholders in order to have effective well established and perennial mechanisms; • Even if the system is strengthened and stakeholders supported, the child remain the goal remains. To enhance the effectiveness of the mesh; an intermediate level is essential: Communities through which through social funds can help funding

12. 6. Challenges Setting up child protection committees at different levels of the chain of decentralization (national, regional prefecture town / district / village) Need to set, through the demonstration effect, the basis for a shift to national. Harmonization of approaches and validation of formal terms of reference for these structures Registration in development approach Involvement of communities and children through their representation.