<ol><li>Does your NGO work with children?&nbsp;</li><li>Do you have a Child Protection Policy?&nbsp;</li></ol>&nbsp;NGOs working with children, whether directly or indirectly, have a duty of care to safeguard and protect the children they work with.&nbsp;One of the key requirements of the Children's Act, which came into effect in 2010, is that all organisations working with children, whether directly or indirectly, must have a Child Protection Policy in place in order to promote and protect the rights of children in Kenya. This policy should outline the measures that your organisation will take to safeguard children from harm, abuse, and neglect. It should also set out the procedures that will be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.&nbsp;Your Child Protection Policy should cover a range of areas, including recruitment and selection, training, and supervision, reporting and responding to concerns, and monitoring and review. It should also clearly set out the roles and responsibilities of all staff and volunteers and provide guidance on appropriate behaviour and conduct.&nbsp;If your NGO works directly with children, it is important that you have additional measures in place to ensure their safety. This may include, but is not limited to, background checks and reference checks for all staff and volunteers who will be working with children, regular training on child protection, and the establishment of safe spaces where children can go if they feel unsafe or need to report any concerns.Even if your NGO works indirectly with children, such as through fundraising or advocacy, it is still important that you have a Child Protection Policy in place. This policy will help to ensure that your organisation is providing a safe and supportive environment for children, and that you are meeting your legal obligations under the Children's Act.&nbsp;In conclusion, as an NGO working with children in Kenya, it is essential that you have a Child Protection Policy in place that meets the requirements of the Children's Act. This will help ensure that you are providing a safe and supportive environment for children and meeting your legal obligations under the Act.

NGOS AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICIES

THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND BLOGGING FOR NGOS

Each time we visit <a href="https://onechild.org/where-we-work/africa/kenya/">Kenya</a> we’re struck by the diversity and beauty of the country. In many ways, Kenya is rich – in biodiversity of wildlife and land, and in a rich and vibrant culture. But many of Kenya’s people also face grinding poverty, and children always suffer the most.We’ve also seen that one of Kenya’s greatest resources is the creativity and strength of its people. Like Child Champions who are working with determination to break down the barriers of poverty for Kenya’s children and help them become leaders in their generation. Poverty statistics from Kenya only tell part of the story. To understand the reality kids face, we want to hear the perspective of Kenyans who are on the front lines of creating change for kids in their country.OneChild has worked with <a href="https://onechild.org/blog/shaping-the-destinies-of-vulnerable-kids/">Nicholas Nzivo Kimatu</a>, Kenya’s Country Director, since 2008. His dedication to the children in Kenya was evident when we asked him about the struggles and highlights of 2022 and what he looks forward to this year.&nbsp;These are five insights Nicholas shared with us about helping kids in Kenya in 2022:These past few years have been especially challenging due to the pandemic and now a struggling worldwide economy. What were some of the hardest things your community faced last year?&nbsp;We saw <a href="https://onechild.org/how-to-get-involved/ways-to-give/childrens-crisis-fund/">duress in families</a> owing to loss of income, increased cost of living, and separation because of parents needing to work far away from home to meet basic needs. These burdens were greatly felt by our children. However, because everyone was affected, we witnessed our <a href="https://onechild.org/blog/love-and-care-after-the-fire/">community coming together</a> even more to support each other.

Helping Children in Poverty in Kenya

I consider myself fortunate to be a representative of African youth and over the last few years I have spoken around the world to lend my voice to our causes.However, I had never spoken at the African Union! Not until a few days ago, when I was asked to speak at the ‘Gender is My Agenda’ campaign pre-AU Summit meeting, as a youth ambassador for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).My work with GPE started in early 2017 when I took part in a week-long event to develop a youth strategy for the partnership, together with three other young leaders.<blockquote>I welcome this work as I believe that better representation of young people within organizations, institutions and at events will ultimately lead to better decisions for young people.&nbsp;</blockquote><h3>Engaging African young people starts with a good education</h3>Decisions that can help to ‘Harness the Demographic Dividend’, which is the African Union’s theme this year, and the focus of the discussions at the AU Heads of State Summit.&nbsp; At present 60% of Africa’s population is youth, and that percentage is growing, thus meaningful engagement of young people in decision making is the only way for Africa to grow.Holistic investment in young people starts with investment in education. It is only with a safe, quality education for all girls and boys across Africa that the demographic dividend will be harnessed. The importance of investing in girls, and boys, education was at the center of my first ever intervention at the African Union.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>My recommendations to African leaders</h3><figure class="image"><img src="https://www.globalpartnership.org/sites/default/files/vivian_au.jpg" alt="Vivian Onano with youth advocates at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa"></figure>Vivian Onano shares personal stories of child marriage with youth advocates at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, EthiopiaPhoto Credit: GPE/Victoria EgbetayoThe panel for the session “Gender is My Agenda” was organized by GPE, FAWE and ONE Africa. I was asked o share my thoughts on what can be done to enable young people to get an education in Africa, and this is what I said:<ul><li>First and foremost, when we talk about education in Africa, especially for girls, we need to make sure we are talking about safe education. Boko Haram’s actions in northern Nigeria highlight the tragic reality that for far too many girls in the continent education is a matter of life or death. Whatever financial and political investments are made must focus on eliminating the fear and violence too often associated with going to school.</li><li>Governments need to move beyond the rhetoric to provide tangible investments in education. Specifically governments must prioritize education and invest 20% or more of their national government expenditure on education. It is only through urgent and significant increases in investment that all children will be able to access a safe and quality education, and that the demographic dividend will be harnessed.</li><li>We need governments to take concerted political actions to remove barriers to education, especially child marriage, which remains as high as 46% across West and Central Africa. Child marriage is forcing girls&nbsp; to drop out of school. In some countries girls are not allowed back into school after they have had their child. This is not inclusive development and it is not the Africa that I want to have.</li><li>Quality is essential to effecting real change. The education that is provided must equip children and young people with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the demands of not just the local, but the global labor market.</li><li>No child chooses to be born into poverty. No child chooses not to be able to access safe education. We must all work together to make sure that no child is left behind.</li></ul>As I get ready to leave behind my first experience at the African Union, the Heads of States are starting to arrive for their closed two-day Summit. I am thrilled our recommendations from the pre-summit event will be delivered to them. I hope that they hear my voice, and the voice of millions of other young people.<blockquote>Invest more in education now. Increase your government expenditure on education to 20% or more. Pledge this commitment at the GPE replenishment summit in early 2018 and help create a continent, and world, where all children receive a safe, quality education.</blockquote>

WHAT IS NEEDED TO GET CHILDREN AN EDUCATION IN AFRICA?

Today, the Day of the African Child, commemorates the day in 1976 when hundreds of black schoolchildren were killed in Soweto, South Africa. They took to the streets to protest against an inferior education system and the right to be taught in their own language.

The day also draws attention to the need to improve the condition and wellbeing of children across the African continent. This year, the African Union (AU) is using the day to draw attention to street children.

The events of 1976 stirred a generation to rise up against apartheid, and we are again at a pivotal moment – to make lasting change to a generation of street children who hope for, and need, the right to determine their own future.

This year has been significant so far for street children, with the resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in February and the International Day for Street Children in April. But this is not enough.

Being born into poverty, which is the reality for millions of African children, reduces chances of survival, good health and finishing their education. They are also at risk from neglect, abuse, exploitation and violence. The AU's African committee of experts on the rights and welfare of the child published a concept note this year, All Together for Urgent Actions in Favour of Street Children, to which leading street children organisations responded.

AU members now need to act on the recommendations, and recognise and support the important work of grassroots organisations.

Pioneering organisations are delivering frontline services to street children with little or no government recognition or assistance. Street children remain excluded from policy priorities. The millennium development goals have been criticised for failing to reflect broader notions of children's rights and wellbeing, particularly taking account of the impact of children's environments. Unless government, NGOs, and policymakers begin to make this a priority, the rights and social protection of street children are at risk.

In Africa, the most transformative and sustainable models of working with street children have come about when the commitment to change has come from within, driven and led by the local practitioners, activists and communities. According to Tom Hewitt, of Umthombo Street Children, "There are new and creative models that are challenging the way that society perceives and responds to street children, and these must be given space and support to develop and to educate us." Our role as northern NGOs and practitioners is to support grassroots organisations seeking solutions in the way we respond to street children.

As we celebrate the Day of the African Child, the children who marched with conviction and courage in Soweto in 1976 invoke a powerful reminder of their decisive role in being a catalyst for change. Today, we have the opportunity to move a step closer to giving street children the true humanity they deserve.

Inspiring Blog Posts

NGOS AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICIES

THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND BLOGGING FOR NGOS

Helping Children in Poverty in Kenya

WHAT IS NEEDED TO GET CHILDREN AN EDUCATION IN AFRICA?

TIME TO FOCUS ON THE AFRICAN CHILD