Strengthening Child Protection Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Call to Action

1. Strengthening Child Protection Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Call to Action

2. CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEMS IN AFRICA

3. INTRODUCTION: GLOBAL AND REGIONAL CONTEXT • Significant changes in how the global community is approaching child protection • Higher income countries– increasing focus on cost-effective early intervention, prevention and family support • Middle and low-income countries – moving from single issue approaches to a comprehensive systems strengthening approach • Partners in West & Central Africa start a group to discuss the mapping of child protection systems in their region. They are later joined by partners in East & Southern Africa for the preparation of the conference. Progressively, it is hoped the group is joined by North African partners in order to establish a Pan-African mouvement

4. IMPORTANCE OF CHILD PROTECTION

5. THE SYSTEMS APPROACH WHERE WE ARE COMING FROM… WHERE WE ARE HEADING…

6. KEY EVENTS AND DOCUMENTS

7. WHY A JOINT INTER-AGENCY STATEMENT? • To present our common understanding of child protection systems in sub-Saharan Africa and why they are important and worthy of investment • To issue a call to action to governments, the African Union, regional economic communities, multilateral agencies, donors, the private sector, academia, civil society organisations, communities and organised children’s and youth groups.

8. THE ACTORS Government Civil society and private organizations Communities Children Families

9. ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM • Appropriate policies, legislation and regulations • Well-defined structures and functions and adequate capacities • Supportive social norms • Effective promotion, prevention and response actions • High quality evidence and data for decision-making • Efficient fiscal management and sufficient resource allocation. When these elements and actors work together, they create a system that is better able to protect all children.

10. WORKING SYSTEMICALLY IN AFRICA

11. SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING IN AFRICA

12. HOW DOES THE SYSTEMS APPROACH MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO CHILDREN? Fatou’s father left her mother when she was six. …………..

13. HOW DOES A SYSTEMS APPROACH MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO CHILDREN? At each step along the way, a strong child protection system can make a difference

14. Fatou’s father left her mother when she was six. Her mother could no longer cope so she was sent to live with her Uncle in the city • Her Uncle’s friend came round a lot to visit. He soon started buying Fatou gifts and began to abuse her repeatedly • She kept silent as she felt scared and did not know who to tell • Many months later, her Aunt discovered what was happening and immediately took Fatou to the hospital • She received some treatment for the bleeding, but the Aunt told her not to say anything as this would bring shame on the family • Although her Uncle’s friend did not come round anymore, Fatou found it difficult to concentrate in school

15. If the local social services were aware that Fatou’s mother was struggling financially, they could have provided a cash grant to help the family and prevent the initial separation • If teachers at Fatou’s school had been trained in child protection, they might have noticed her changing behaviour in class and referred the case to the local child protection team • If Fatou’s Aunt had heard on the radio a broadcast on what to do if she knew someone who was being abused, she might have call the free Helpline • And if the health worker who assessed Fatou was part of an integrated services board in his town, he may have reported the case to the police and ensured the perpetrator was put in prison

16. CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION WE CALL FOR:

17. WE CALL FOR: