The Church as a Child Protection System in Africa Jennifer Kaberi, Daystar University, Kenya

This paper highlights findings of a research done on the role of the church in protecting children in Nairobi Kenya, a case of Evangelical Churches.

 Childhood is under threat !  Well known risks,  HIV and thank God Ebola is gone, Poverty, Retrogressive cultural and abuse (1 BILLION CHILDREN ARE VICTIMS)  Emerging risks-  Non communicable disease 2.9M deaths per years, Terrorism (^ 309%), Negative use of technology, Climate change WHERE WE ARE……..

 The UNCRC (1989) (Quarter Life crisis)  The ACRWC (2000) (Hormonal imbalances)  Constitutions and Children Acts (Growing up troubles)  The need to rethink on child protection CHILD PROTECTION

FOR CHILDREN

THE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM

 32 % of the world population and Over 50% of people living in sub Saharan Africa are practicing Christians,  60% of this are regular church attendants.  Church supports orphaned children.  Church leaders are most respected in Africa  Churches become safe haven during crisis and emergencies  Most charities in Africa are church based. CHURCH AND CHILD PROTECTION IN AFRICA

Still abuse happens within and without the church!

 Descriptive study exploring the church as a child protection system in Africa  A mixed methodology :  Questionnaires,  focus group discussions and  key informant  Participants:  140 adult church members,  60 children  20 church leaders. METHODOLOGY

FINDINGS Opinion on whether children are safe in church This shows that most participants viewed the church as safe

CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Weakness  70% rated the existence of a child protection policy as not strong  60% of the respondent believed that church partnership with other organizations was weak  74% rated child participation not strong  Monitoring system was rated weak by 59% of the participants.  71% of children workers not trained FINDINGS

Strength  60% of the participants rated leadership commitment to children issues to be very strong.  60% rated children Budget allocation strong.  Works well with government FINDINGS

 The findings concluded although majority of the respondent indicated the church as safe for children. The church has a weak child protection system  Weak legal system  Weak Monitoring and accountability  Poor child participation  Weak capacity  Lack of partnership with other organizations However the church leadership is committed to child protection this can be seen in the budget allocation CONCLUSIONS

LIGHT RECCOMENDATIONS

 S ystem Strengthening  A DVOCATE  L EGALISING/ laws, policies and procedures  T RAINING RECOMMENDATIONS

Community  L EADING  I NITIATE  G UARD  H OUSING  T REATING National  L OBBYING  I NFLUENCE  G UIDE  H OLDING HANDS  T ESTING RECOMMENDATIONS

What are you doing to be salt and light

THANK YOU FOR YOUR Jennifer Kaberi