Project profile — Strengthening the Child Protection System in the Democratic Republic of Congo

• Congo, Democratic Republic (100.00%)

• Legal and judicial development:
Legal and judicial development (15130) (25.00%)
Human rights (15160) (55.00%)
• Conflict Prevention And Resolution, Peace And Security: Security system management and reform (15210) (5.00%)
• Other Social Infrastructure And Services: Social/welfare services (16010) (15.00%)

• Youth Issues (significant objective)
• Children's issues (principal objective)
• Participatory development and good governance (significant objective)
• Gender equality (significant objective)

The project aims to improve respect for the rights of girls and boys, especially those in situations of deprived freedoms and at risk or victims of economic or sexual exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project contributes to the structural improvement of the child protection system in the DRC through the promotion, mobilization and strengthening of competencies in crucial sectors that are often overlooked: labour inspection, detention centres and the tourism sector. The project also aims to increase children's participation in the mechanisms of protection, prevention and action against the sexual violence in which they are victims. Project activities include: (1) organization of a series of workshops with children and civil society on their roles within the protection system; (2) development, validation, testing and integration of a child rights training kit intended for staff working with children deprived of their liberty; and (3) promoting consultation and coordination spaces for the implementation of the project and to better convey the voice of traditionally overlooked sectors in child protection. The project aims to develop the skills and capacities of over 6,692 people directly (446 girls, 446 boys, 1,320 women and 4,480 men); 36,500 people indirectly; and ultimately, aims for better protection and respect for the rights of 427,460 children in the DRC.

The expected outcomes of this project include : (1) Increased contribution of girls to decision making and to the implementation of initiatives aimed at improving their status as gender and human rights holders within the child protection system in the DRC ; (2) Improved child friendly practices, including respect for gender-specific rights, and the integration of traditionally overlooked state and private sectors within the child protection system in the DRC ; and (3) Improved multi-sector coordination within the child protection system in the DRC.

Results achieved as of May 2025 include: (1) strengthened capacities of 72 civil society organizations in terms of child protection and participation; (2) set up children’s advisory committees (made up of 12 girls and 8 boys each) in the project’s 3 intervention areas (Kinshasa, Matadi and Lubumbashi); and (3) finalized the operating procedures for receiving children in state care and education facilities. They clarify the roles and responsibilities of the various human resources involved in detention centres in the DRC when children are received and provide them with practical working tools. Project activities reached 767 new direct beneficiaries (271 women, 432 men, 2 girls and 62 boys) and 2,929,885 indirect beneficiaries (1,453,818 women, 1,453,843 men, 11,200 girls and 11,200 boys). Cumulatively with the scope of year 3, there were 1,413 direct beneficiaries (524 women, 684 men, 76 girls and 129 boys), while indirectly, the project activities over the 3 implementation years reached 3,070,576 indirect beneficiaries (1,512,939 women, 1,515,353 men, 20,860 girls and 20,860 boys).

• Proactive disclosure