Child Protection

 

Child Protection in the DRC
Our Goal:

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:

  • Ensuring families and communities understand children’s rights
  • Helping families understand the importance of birth registration
  • Making sure children live in safe communities with adequate places to play and develop
  • Making sure children are respected and allowed to participate in decisions that affect them
What is the problem?

Human rights, especially those of women and children, are greatly misunderstood or ignored in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Low levels of income and education coupled with a complex history of insecurity, a culture of impunity for perpetrators and a lack of institutional initiative to protect children means many children are in danger daily.

  • 39% of girls are married before their 18 th birthday
  • 56% of boys and 44% of girls are involved in child labour activities
  • Sexual violence within families and by armed groups is rampant
  • About 35% of combatants in the DRC are children. In the Kasais, an estimated 60% of militia members were under the age of 18,  the majority if whom are less than 16. Some are as young as 5
  • Only 28% of births in the DRC are registered
  • 70,000 children are estimated to live on the streets without their families
How is World Vision addressing the issues?

We are working to change the tide of child rights by increasing the knowledge and capacity of families, communities and grassroots organizations to care for and protect children against abuse, violence, neglect and exploitation by training community and faith leaders and mobilizing communities to protect their children.

Is what World Vision doing working?

Yes! Although there is still much work to be done, children in 6 of the 14 areas where we are working now report living in loving and safe environments. And, as a result of massive advocacy and awareness-raising efforts, more children are being registered at birth and/or are accessing birth certificates.

What’s the impact?*
  • 218 children, adolescent and youth groups were formed
  • 52,177 children were able to get their birth registration certificates
  • 39% more adolescents now report having a strong connection with their parents or caregivers
  • 6,494 parents were trained in positive disciple techniques
  • 76 child protection and advocacy groups were formed
  • 16,456 children have been reached with psychosocial support in Kasais since August 2017

*Unless otherwise noted, numbers are from 2016 and 2017. 

Related Resources: