Child Protection

What we want to do:

We want to see children who know they are loved by God and their neighbours and who are cared for, protected and participating in the decisions that affect them and their lives. We are working towards this by:

• Increasing the percentage of adolescents who know their rights and can identify which services and mechanisms exist to support them if those rights are not respected
• Helping families understand the importance of birth registration
• Making sure children are respected and allowed to participate in the decisions that affect them
• Equipping parents to educate and discipline their children without the use of violence

What is the problem?

In Angola, only 37% of children are registered at birth. Lack of birth registration makes it difficult, if not impossible, for the government to plan for and adequately provide required services, such as education and health services. Additionally, nearly three decades of civil war have affected children as well; the majority of issues/abuses are never reported either because they are considered culturally acceptable or the victims and their mothers do not know how or where to report it.

How is World Vision addressing the issues? 

We are working with parents, children and community members to ensure that everyone understands and respects the rights of children. In addition to educating youth about their rights, we are also equipping them with the knowledge and abilities to be able to report violations of their rights to established authorities, if necessary.

Is what World Vision doing working?

 Yes! Although a whole lot more needs to be done, we are encouraged to see 172 mothers obtain birth certificates for themselves and 102 of their children, enabling them to be enrolled in primary education.

What’s the impact?*

• 1,208 parents were trained in positive discipline techniques
• 172 mothers were helped to obtain birth certificates for themselves and their children, resulting in 70 children gaining access to primary education enrolment.
• 155 Sunday School teachers were trained to improve the lessons for children's spiritual education, benefiting over 42,300 children.
• Training of 610 adults, from churches and in communities which have benefited from water, sanitation and hygiene projects; reaching over 40,500 children.
• Actions were implemented to identify and refer cases of violence against to competent agencies, and promote and dissimulate messages helping to keep children protected and supported by community agents. These actions have benefited approximately 16,550 children.

Related Resources:

• Learn how one refugee is using her passions to protect children from violence.