New Pan-African Initiative Seeks To Strengthen Child Protection From Community level

A new pan-African initiative, the African Child Rights Marshal (ACRM), is seeking to strengthen child protection across the continent by establishing a structured grassroots network dedicated to child-rights education, advocacy, prevention and community mobilisation.

The initiative is targeting professionals, intellectuals, human-rights advocates, educators, community leaders, youth leaders and other passionate changemakers across Africa’s 54 countries as it works towards building a coordinated child-protection mechanism extending from the continental level to local communities.

ACRM is founded on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).

Its proponents argue that while governments and statutory institutions have a central responsibility for child protection, many threats to children occur within homes and communities, making grassroots intervention, public education and early identification critical.

The initiative is therefore proposing a network of Community Child Protection Officers who would work within communities to promote awareness of children’s rights, support prevention initiatives, identify potential protection concerns, facilitate appropriate referrals and mobilise communities to create safer environments for children.

Tackling persistent threats to children

ACRM identifies violence and abuse, child trafficking, child labour, child marriage, sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, neglect, harmful traditional practices, school dropout, streetism, substance abuse, illegal migration, discrimination, poverty and social exclusion among the challenges confronting children across Africa.

The initiative believes that addressing such challenges requires a stronger culture of prevention and shared responsibility involving families, schools, communities, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders.

Its child-protection model is built around seven key areas: prevention, protection, identification, referral, advocacy, participation and empowerment.

A major component of the initiative is child-rights education, which is intended to reach children, parents, teachers, community leaders, religious leaders, professionals and the wider public.

ACRM also plans to promote a proposed Child Rights and Moral Ethics Curriculum for primary, junior secondary, senior secondary and tertiary institutions.

The curriculum is expected to combine knowledge of children’s rights with moral values and responsible citizenship, with plans for eventual translation into major African languages.

Proposed structure reaches communities

The proposed ACRM structure will operate through Continental Leadership, Regional Commands, National Commands, State or Provincial Commands, Local Government or District Commands and Community Commands.

The initiative says the structure is intended to facilitate coordination, training, accountability, communication, reporting and community mobilisation.

At the grassroots level, Community Child Protection Officers would serve as community-based advocates and educators rather than law-enforcement officers.

ACRM has specifically clarified that its personnel are not automatically police officers, military personnel, judicial officers or law-enforcement officers.

An ACRM appointment or rank would not confer powers of arrest, detention, investigation or prosecution.

Serious child-protection cases or suspected criminal conduct are expected to be referred to the appropriate government agencies or legally authorised professional institutions in accordance with the laws of each country.

West African coordination

Within West Africa, the proposed West African Regional Command is expected to coordinate the development of ACRM structures across the sub-region.

Its responsibilities would include supporting national commands, promoting consistent standards, facilitating communication, supporting training and capacity building, monitoring implementation, strengthening partnerships and promoting safeguarding.

National Commands would subsequently be responsible for establishing appropriate sub-national structures in accordance with the administrative systems and laws of individual countries.

Beyond child protection

ACRM’s proposed programmes extend beyond immediate child-protection interventions.

The initiative envisages Students Clubs to promote child-rights education, leadership, peer education, anti-bullying advocacy, responsible citizenship and prevention of drug and substance abuse.

It also proposes programmes in sports and talent development, vocational skills, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and media advocacy.

A proposed “Child Rights Education and Drugs Harm Reduction Education Hour” would provide a platform for public education and community dialogue on child rights and substance-abuse prevention.

ACRM says all activities involving children would be subject to appropriate safeguarding measures, supervision and applicable national laws.

Calls for broad stakeholder participation

The initiative is seeking collaboration with governments, child-protection agencies, civil society organisations, schools, universities, traditional authorities, religious institutions, professional bodies, development partners, media organisations, health institutions, social workers, legal professionals, youth organisations and community leaders.

It says no single institution can address Africa’s child-protection challenges and that meaningful progress requires collective responsibility.

The initiative’s long-term vision is to establish an active and accountable presence across all 54 African countries, while prioritising functional structures over the creation of titles or membership lists.

ACRM says its leadership and membership should be guided by integrity, competence, professionalism, accountability, safeguarding and commitment to service.

Its guiding principle is captured in the statement: “A Title Is Not Authority. Service Is Responsibility.”

The initiative says the principle is intended to prevent its ranks and appointments from being used to intimidate, threaten, exploit, harass or unlawfully interfere with people.

Ultimately, ACRM seeks to contribute to an Africa where children understand their rights, families understand their responsibilities, communities actively protect children, young people participate meaningfully in society and vulnerable children can be identified and appropriately referred for assistance.

Its overarching philosophy is:

Educate → Prevent → Protect → Empower → Advocate → Transform.

The initiative’s core message is simple: “No Child Should Be Left Behind. No Child Should Be Abused. No Child Should Be Exploited. No Child Should Be Silenced.”