20-11-2019 | di COOPI

Chad. Children learn how to enforce their rights

This week we celebrate World Children's Day and COOPI is promoting a campaign for children's rights in 20 IDPs camps and villages in the Mamdi department in Chad, which has been severely affected by the attacks of Boko Haram and where basic social and protection services are almost non-existent.

Strengthening community structures is therefore crucial to meet the urgent need for children protection and psycho-social support. This is why COOPI is implementing the project entitled "Support for the protection of children affected by the crisis in Lake Chad”, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and in consortium with Action pour la Protection de la Santé, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre la Pénurie Alimentaire (APSELPA).

Today, November 20^th, we are in Madikimerom and Moundaye villages – Role plays and theatrical performances are contributing spreading important messages about children's rights, making children and communities aware of  the available support services, promoting the importance of school education, encouraging gender equality and making communities understand that children’s protection is a common responsibility.

In this regard, as Veronica Marcon, COOPI Project Leader for Child Protection in Chad, points out, "Since the beginning of the awareness activities we have seen a considerable increase in children being more aware about violations of their rights and in the number of children who have turned to community facilitators in case of need.”

These are important steps in improving the psychosocial well-being of children, who now have a greater understanding of their rights, are aware of the services and tools available in case of need, while the community is working to ensure and create a supportive environment for child protection.