Child Rights Alliance
- Goal : 35 000$
- Target: 50 000$
The Child Rights Alliance (CRA) aimed to prevent violence and abuse against 6,000 children in Regions 3, 4, and 5 by fostering collaboration, advocacy, and capacity building among its members. The CRA's four strategic objectives included establishing a national alliance of community-based organizations, enhancing the capacity of the alliance for violence prevention, improving the capacity of parents and regional networks in prevention, and raising awareness in target regions about child abuse through public campaigns.
The Child Rights Alliance was established to protect at least 6,000 children in Regions 3, 4 and 5 from child abuse and violence. This Alliance consists of civil society groups, government agencies and regional stakeholders. The Child Rights Alliance has several core aspects:
- Psycho social Support: At least 6,000 children will be targeted for sensitization sessions which will focus on preventative measures for child abuse. Child care counselling will also be provided to at least 200 children each in Regions 3, 4 and 5 as well as parenting skills education sessions which will target at least 175 parents in each Region.
- Research: Four thematic research findings will be published as part of the Child Rights Alliance. The topics are- a) Alternative Care of Children b) Neglect of children c) Trauma in children as a result of violence d) Responses to child abuse through the formal and informal sectors in Regions 3, 4 and 5.
- Public Education Campaign: The public will be informed of the findings of the four thematic papers through the print, radio and television programmes.
- Networking: Regional networks will be established to implement better child protection policies regionally and nationally.
Throughout its implementation, the CRA engaged with numerous organizations, achieving significant progress. Notable accomplishments included:
1. The formation of a national Child Rights Alliance comprising 15 community-based organizations,
2. The implementation of child abuse prevention activities, and successful public education campaigns.
3. The initiative partnered with entities like the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and the Ministry of Education (MoE), facilitating sensitization, counseling, and support activities in schools and communities.
4. The project also led to the creation of a sustainable Community of Practice (CoP) to continue capacity building and advocacy efforts.
The CRA conducted activities directly with over 8000 beneficiaries which includes:
1. Seven thousand eight hundred and twenty-six (7826) children who were sensitized and of which 402 were engaged in one to one counselling.
2. Forty (40) children trained as youth ambassadors.
3. Four hundred and fifty-six (456) parents participated in parenting skills education
4. Thirty-five (35) organizations were engaged in the alliance activities and 327 participants in training sessions.
The CRA contributed to increased reporting of child abuse cases and significant changes in child protection practices across the target regions. By sensitizing children, parents, and stakeholders, providing counseling and support, and addressing gaps in child protection, the CRA made a substantial impact on the lives of children and families, ultimately fostering safer communities and raising awareness about child abuse issues in Guyana.