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A discussion of perceptions of community facilitators from Swaziland, Kenya, Mozambique and Ghana: cultural practices and child protection
- Authors:
- MUROVE Tapfuma, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 5(Supplement 1), June 2010, pp.55-62.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article highlights the importance of knowing some of the cultural practices that encourage child abuse or hinder effective implementation of community-based child protection responses. Data were collected from 287 community development facilitators from Swaziland, Ghana, Mozambique, and Kenya using open-ended qualitative interviews in which they were asked about harmful cultural practices which they thought had negative impacts on their child protection work in respective communities. The range of interviewees varied from home visitors, development workers, faith-based organisation employees, HIV-AIDS facilitators to child monitors and peer educators. Four general types of cultural practices were identified by interviewees as posing risks to children and challenges to child protection work: marriage practices, rites of passage or rituals, family secrets, and religious or spiritual practices. The authors conclude that an understanding of cultural practices is essential for the success of child protection responses in communities, especially with regard to child protection advocacy work that focuses upon harmful cultural practices. Community child protection interventions should deliberately target children who are especially vulnerable or isolated due to some harmful cultural practices. However, as cultural issues are sensitive, child protection interventions should commence by highlighting those positive aspects of people’s cultural practices, which can then become entry points for engaging with other practices that may be harmful to children. It is essential to train and empower community development facilitators so that they can engage cultural issues more effectively. Existing child protection interventions or responses need to be contextualised to various cultural environments of children.
A charge against society: the child's right to protection
- Editor:
- JOHN Mary
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 1997
- Pagination:
- 288p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Examines changing attitudes towards children and looks at measures currently designed to protect them. Analyses how the child's safety and well-being can be protected, while respecting their right to be involved and to have their opinions taken into account. Looks at the causes within society for social malfunction in relation to children. Includes chapters on: children's labour in Mexico; refugee children in the UK; marginality and extermination in Brazil; teenage sexuality worldwide; school exclusion in the UK; domestic violence and child contact arrangements; violence and young minds; the roles of primary school teacher, the pupil, school culture, and local community in rural Mozambique; truancy; single parent families; the rights of the child in a paediatric oncology unit; and learning rights.