Patrick Ndirangu
Children Officer - Moyale Sub-CountyWe want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our funding partners, philanthropic organizations, and donors. Your generous support has enabled us to implement sustainable interventions, establish child-friendly spaces, and strengthen the child protection system in Marsabit County.
Child Protection through Capacity Building, Transformation of Social Norms and Strengthening of Protection Mechanisms in Northern Kenya.
BACKGROUND:
Marsabit County, located in Northern Kenya, faces a multitude of child rights violations (Core Problem) that contribute to long-term psychosocial and physical harm, limited livelihood and development opportunities, limited access to education, and systemic gender inequity (Effects). The Root Causes include the manifestation of deep-rooted traditional harmful practices, patriarchal structures, lack of community knowledge and capacity on the legal status and impact of harmful practices, ineffective or non-existent institutional and community-based protection structures, income-related lack of alternatives in life perspective decisions, and lack of national and regional commitment by responsible government agencies and their executive authorities. Subcounty, Northern Kenya.
The underlying core problems of rights violations against children in this project are harmful traditional practices (HTP), which include female genital mutilation, forced and child marriages, and gender-based violence, and contribute directly to the project’s framing problem of child trafficking and unsafe migration of children in the project’s border region.
In response to these pressing issues, Strategies for Northern Development (SND) and Terre des Hommes Netherlands have initiated a project on Child Protection through Capacity Building, Transformation of Social Norms, and Strengthening of Protection Mechanisms in Marsabit County, specifically targeting the Moyale Subcounty.The project aims to address the multifaceted challenges faced by children in the region. It recognizes that child protection requires a comprehensive approach that involves capacity building, social norm transformation, and strengthening of protection mechanisms.
Capacity building is essential to empower stakeholders, including community members, government officials, teachers, and healthcare workers, with the knowledge and skills to identify, prevent, and respond to child protection issues. By equipping them with the necessary tools and training, the project seeks to build a network of individuals who can actively safeguard children’s rights.
Transforming social norms is another crucial aspect of the project. Deep-rooted cultural beliefs and practices often perpetuate harmful norms, such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, child labor, and gender-based violence. Through community engagement, awareness campaigns, and advocacy, the project seeks to challenge these negative norms and promote positive social change that protects and supports children.
Additionally, the project aims to strengthen the existing protection mechanisms in Marsabit County. Collaboration with local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and child protection organizations will enhance coordination and response mechanisms. By establishing or strengthening child helplines, child-friendly spaces, and referral systems, the project aims to ensure that children at risk receive timely and appropriate support and services.
This project has received crucial funding from the BMZ (German Government) through Terre des Hommes Germany, highlighting the international recognition of the importance of child protection in Marsabit County. SND, with its extensive experience in community development, and Terre des Hommes Netherlands, renowned for its child rights advocacy, have joined forces to implement this transformative project.
By combining their expertise and working closely with the local communities, the project envisions creating a safe and nurturing environment where children’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. It seeks to bring about sustainable change that empowers communities, strengthens protection mechanisms, and improves the overall well-being of children in Marsabit County, Moyale Subcounty, Northern Kenya.
Objective: The objective of the project on Child Protection through Capacity Building, Transformation of Social Norms, and Strengthening of Protection Mechanisms in Marsabit County, Moyale Sub-county, Northern Kenya, is to enhance child protection, promote positive social norms, and strengthen mechanisms for safeguarding children’s rights in the region. The project aims to create a safe and nurturing environment for children, empower communities to protect children from abuse and improve the overall well-being of children in Marsabit County.
Martin Muia
ACC MoyaleTogether, we have made a difference in the lives of countless children, providing them with a brighter and more secure future. Let us continue our collective journey towards a society where every child is protected, cherished, and given the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for being an integral part of this transformative project.”
(1) Influencing the elimination of harmful traditional practices and promoting the adoption of positive norms that reduce child trafficking and unsafe migration of children in Marsabit County.
(2) Strengthen the capacity of existing child protection institutions and structures and facilitate the establishment of additional institutions to prevent child exploitation effectively
(3) Improve evidence-based program design, knowledge management, and advocacy in the fight against child exploitation in Northern Kenya
(4) Facilitate coordination, collaboration, networking, and partnerships to effectively serve children at risk or victims of child rights violations.
- Capacity Building: The project will focus on building the capacity of various stakeholders involved in child protection, including community members, government officials, teachers, health workers, and local organizations. Training programs will be conducted to enhance their knowledge and skills in identifying, preventing, and responding to child protection issues. This will involve workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns on child rights, child abuse, child exploitation, and reporting mechanisms.
- Transformation of Social Norms: The project will work towards transforming harmful social norms and attitudes that contribute to child abuse and exploitation. It will involve community engagement, raising awareness, and conducting advocacy campaigns to challenge negative cultural practices and beliefs that undermine child protection. This may include addressing issues such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, child labor, and gender-based violence.
- Strengthening Protection Mechanisms: The project will aim to strengthen the existing child protection mechanisms in Marsabit County. This will involve collaborating with local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and child protection agencies to improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of child protection services. It may include establishing or strengthening child helplines, child-friendly spaces, and referral systems to ensure timely and appropriate interventions for at-risk children.
The expected outcomes of the project include:
- Increased awareness and knowledge: Community members, government officials, and other stakeholders will have a better understanding of child protection issues, child rights, and reporting mechanisms. This will contribute to improved prevention and response to child abuse.
- Empowered communities: The project will empower communities to take proactive measures to protect children and challenge harmful social norms. This will create a supportive environment where children can grow and develop in a safe and nurturing manner.
- Enhanced protection mechanisms: The project will strengthen the child protection system in Marsabit County by improving coordination between different agencies and establishing effective referral mechanisms. This will ensure that at-risk children receive timely and appropriate support and services.
- Reduction in child abuse and exploitation: Through capacity building, social norm transformation, and improved protection mechanisms, the project aims to reduce the incidence of child abuse, child labor, child marriage, and other forms of exploitation in Marsabit County.
- Improved well-being of children: Ultimately, the project seeks to improve the overall well-being of children in the region by creating an environment where their rights are respected, their voices are heard, and they can thrive and reach their full potential.
It’s important to note that the project’s specifics may vary depending on the context, available resources, and the needs of the community in Marsabit County.
