REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENTRY ON CHILD PROTECTION AND ACCESS TO INTEGRATED SOCIAL SERVICES HELD IN SOME SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH DAYI DISTRICT IN THE VOLTA REGION

The Department of Social Welfare had received funding from UNICEF to implement some activities in the District on Child Protection and access to integrated social services in some selected communities. The community entry started on 19^th April to 30^th April, 2021.

The community entry was done to engage the Opinion Leaders like, Chiefs, Traditional and Religious Leaders, PTA members, Assembly members, Unit Committee members and the Teachers to identify some child protection issues and slate a date for community engagement

These communities were selected based on the baseline data available in the District. Below are the communities that opinion leaders were sensitized on Child Protection and Access to Social Services.

S/N	COMMUNITIES	MALE	FEMALE	TOTAL	REMARKS
1	WEGBE	21	4	25	SUCCESSFUL
2	SANGA	12	4	16	SUCCESSFUL
3	TSIYINU	15	5	20	SUCCESSFUL
4	DZAKE	11	6	17	SUCCESSFUL
5	DZOGBATI	8	4	12	SUCCESSFUL
6	TSATEE	13	6	19	SUCCESSFUL
7	TSANAKPE	17	5	22	SUCCESSFUL
8	KAIRA	12	15	27	SUCCESSFUL
9	KPEYIBORME	5	7	12	SUCCESSFUL
10	SAHOE	3	6	9	SUCCESSFUL
11	KPEVE	7	5	12	SUCCEESFUL
12	TSOKPOKOPE	4	9	13	SUCCESSFUL
13	DZAKITI	12	8	20	SUCCESSFUL
14	ADZEBUI	5	10	15	SUCCESSFUL
15	FANTEKOPE	3	18	21	SUCCESSFUL

 

The lead facilitator sensitized the opinion leaders on child protection and access to integrated Social Services. He indicated that, the reasons why they were invited to the meeting was that they (opinion leaders) have a responsibility to play in order to ensure the well – being of the child in their respective communities. The support system must be put in place where all the stakeholders must be seen working or protecting the child.

He therefore asked the stakeholders to mention what they can do in order to contribute to the well -being of the child.

According to the Traditional leader, it is their responsibility to come out with laws to guide these children.

Religious leaders also mentioned that they will bring these children closer to God and put the fear of the Lord in them.

In addition, the Assembly member said they will report any form of child abuse to the appropriate office at the District Assembly and also advocate for the right of children in the District.

CHILD PROTECTION

Participants were asked to bring their understanding on child protection. Most of the participants contributed to the discussion. A participant said child protection was to safe guard the child from any harm.

Another participant also said child protection is engaging children by educating them on their rights and responsibilities.

The tool kits were then used to further give better understanding of child protection to the participants. The circle of support and the balloon were used accordingly.

Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions.

A participant said with the advent of social media most of their children have gone wayward so what effort is government making to curtail.

A participant also wanted to know what laws have been put in place for child who is off school going age but engaged in child labour.

All these questions were addressed by the facilitators.

ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES

The facilitator then took participants through access to integrated social services. He explained that children are very dear to the government so the government has put in some social interventions in order to safe guard the children.

He therefore engaged the participants to name any of the Social Services available in their respective communities. Participants mentioned the following

Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty

National Health Insurance Scheme

The Juvenile Court

Free Senior High School

School feeding

Social welfare

Police

FORMATION OF COMMUNITY CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE

The facilitator again triggered the participants on the need to form a community child protection committee in their respective communities. This committee shall be responsible for protecting the child from any harm.

The committee shall report to the appropriate institution of any issue affecting the child in the community.

The participant welcomed this and they promise their total cooperation should the committee be formed.  

 RESOLUTION

After the sensitization all the communities resolved to form community child protection   committee to be the ambassadors of child issues in their respective communities and report to the relevant institution.

CONCLUSION

The sensitization on community entry programme was very participatory and interactive because all participants were engaged.

 

PHOTO GALLERY