Project profile — Child Protection in Mali

The expected outcomes for this project include: 1) increased effectiveness of the child protection system for a protective environment that respects the rights of children, especially girls, in the Kayes, Sikasso and Mopti regions; 2) increased community capacity to ensure better protection of children, especially girls, during and after crises, against harmful practices in the Kayes, Sikasso and Mopti regions; and 3) increased access to basic social services and sustainable rehabilitation/reintegration measures for children affected by the crisis and those affected by harmful practices, especially girls, in the Kayes, Sikasso and Mopti regions.

Results achieved as of March 2020: (1) implemented a social, economic and cultural development plan in 20 communes. Each of these plans includes actions related to child protection, particularly for girls; (2) trained 926 people on defence and the application of legal texts on protection. These people are community counsellors, women leaders, children, youth, technical service agents (health, security, education), religious and traditional leaders. Together they support the establishment of formal child protection frameworks; (3) trained more than 2,400 individuals and decision-makers who play a crucial role in child protection. Over the past four years, these individuals have learned to facilitate implementing activities contained in the communes' emergency plans. Together, they constitute a core group of professionals and protectors who work to sustain the project's actions; (4) established networks of volunteer mentors in the communities. Women chaired 95% of these networks, and girls chair all 200 children's clubs at the community and school levels; (5) realized 1,535 sensitization activities (theatres, forums, promotional days). These activities made it possible to address issues related to harmful practices with leaders and community members; (6) presented protection laws learned by 668 members within the 200 children's clubs. These children can now report abuse themselves, based on their knowledge of the legislative frameworks; (7) cared for 133 vulnerable children per the established mechanism for violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. The children cared for estimated 71.6% satisfaction with their care; (8) trained 71 health workers and 43 women comfortable taking care of vulnerable children; (9) removed 1,175 children (531 girls) from gold washing sites and other vulnerable situations and reintroduced them into the formal education system. Their teachers provide positive feedback on their academic performance; (10) trained 224 youth in professional trades and supported 143 in entrepreneurial activities to facilitate social reintegration measures. These trainings resulted in 100% confidence in their ability to pursue entrepreneurship; and (11) rehabilitated 19 play spaces and 21 inclusive, respectful latrines to effectively enable girls to manage their menstrual periods in the school environment.