Child Protection and Advocacy

What we want to do:

We want to reduce violence against children within families and communities.

What is the problem?

Children in Chad  continue to be exposed to multiple, complex and deeply intertwined protection risks and vulnerabilities associated with their exposure to all forms violence (physical, sexual, psychological and emotional), exploitation, abuse and neglect in all settings (at home, at school, in their communities)

In Chad, 61.9% of the country’s population lives in poverty. This puts children at high risk as it predisposes households to risky options of care and protection of children.  

Despite the ratification of the convention on child rights and many other international instruments, child protection in Chad remains a real concern. Violence against Children remains a challenge in both rural and urban areas. According to the demographic, health and multi-sector indicators survey, (EDS_MICS) 2014-2015, 71% of children suffered from various forms of violent discipline, 52% of children aged between 5-17 years old work, 68% of children are married before the age of 18. Furthermore, in some cultures, tradition permits marriage at 14 years or younger and families often arrange marriage for young girls. In addition, the rate of Female Genital Mutilation /Excision (FGM/E) is estimated to affect 44% of women in Chad.

How is World Vision addressing the issues?

World Vision Chad and our partners are working to improve the well-being of children and create a protective environment that enables children to be cared for and protected within their families and their communities. Through the implementation of Child Protection and Advocacy programmes, our staff and partners are working to improve:

• The behaviours of community and family members towards children.
• The capacity and resilience of children to protect themselves and their peers from abuse, exploitation and other forms of violence

• Enhanced formal and informal mechanisms to effectively collaborate to protect girls and boys, especially the most vulnerable, from violence, abuse and neglect.
• Enforced laws and policies on child protection create an enabling and protective environment for girls and boy.

Is what World Vision doing working?

Yes! Through the use of Citizen Voice in Action groups, we are equipping citizens to work with and demand more social accountability while promoting appropriate laws, policies and quality services necessary for protecting children. Additionally, children are being equipped with knowledge and tools to know their rights, what to do and who can help them if their rights are not respected. As a result of these achievements, we have seen the number of child marriages decrease (from 21% in 2017 to 14% in 2018) and the number of children who feel safe increase (from 73% in 2017 to 79% in 2018). 

What’s the impact?

Children feel safer in their communities, participate with commitment in the activities that involve them and are less likely to be forced or choose to be married before the age of 18.