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Recognizing the increasing number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and the need to provide standardized and quality alternative childcare and support services, The Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MOWSA) in collaboration with pertinent child welfare stakeholders, took the initiative to produce a Directive on Alternative Childcare and Support.
The Directive serves as a comprehensive legally binding document aiming to reduce reliance on institutional care services by standardizing alternative care service…
Abstract
International research consistently shows that young care leavers’ journey from care to emerging adulthood is characterised by adversities such as unemployment, poor academic performance, homelessness, involvement in criminal activities, mental illness and early parenthood. As research evidence points out, such negative outcomes are closely linked with the existence of multiple placements, lack of mentoring, limited connections with significant others, the absence of early preparation to leave care, and a dearth of or inadequate policy frameworks that entitle care leavers to use…
Abstract
Family constitutes more than simple living arrangements, and these systems are of pivotal development importance in sub-Saharan Africa. The diversity of family structures and types in sub-Saharan Africa has warranted an examination of the various policies and laws in the region. This paper examines all policy and laws related to families in the South, West, East and Central regions of sub-Saharan Africa. The paper highlights the sundry of policies and laws that are influenced by cultural and religious differences within and across regions. Issues relating to patriarchy and…
Executive Summary
Multiple factors such as poverty, violence and neglect continue to push children outside family care around the world. Although different interventions such as family reintegration or foster care aim to return children to safe family environments, they are not always feasible for older children. In such instances independent living may be considered as a form of alternative care which allows children to gradually gain autonomy making reintegration into their communities possible. This literature review explores current international and selected national policy on…
Abstract
Background
The life and health of street children is becoming a global concern. Street children are vulnerable to a variety of problems including physical, psychological and sexual exploitations as well as social isolation. Therefore, it was the purpose of this study to point out the experience of sexual and physical exploitation and its determinant factors among street children in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.
Methodology
A phenomenological qualitative method was conducted from March to June 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected from street…
The 21-22 June 2017 Africa Expert Consultation on Violence against Children (VAC) in All Care Settings was the second in a series of regional consultations focused on engaging experts within the region to collaborate, share learning, and formulate a set of regional recommendations for key actors to effectively address violence against children within all care settings,…
This document is an evaluation of Retrak’s reintegration of street children and community-based child protection project in SNNPR, Ethiopia. The project aimed to provide services to children living unsupported on the street and reintegrate these children with their families, as well as provide support for caregivers
This evaluation reviews the project’s drop-in centers and reintegration; self-help groups; child well-being clubs; and community education programs. The evaluation concluded that the best interest of the child were maintained across all services.
Each year Retrak maps the locations of family reintegration placements and tracks trends in locations over time. They have used this information to help them understand the geographic spread of children coming to the streets and to target prevention programmes on ‘’hotspots’’- places from which many children migrate to the streets.
The goal of this final evaluation is to build on the mid-term review of a 3-year pilot community project established to address some of the push factors that were leading many children to come to the city of Addis Ababa from Ethiopia’s southern region (SNNPR). The final evaluation assess achievements of the project to guide decision-making on next steps for the project and to generate learning for informing similar projects in future.
This study sought to inform improvements in service delivery of Retrak’s Independent Living programme by listening to and documenting the voices of participants. The interviewees were asked for feedback on the support they received and their ideas for improvement and aspirations. The ideas and experiences of these young people highlighted the importance of supportive relationships, gaining skills and finding employment, as well as feeling included and accepted by their communities. The stories they shared have provided Retrak with valuable insights into how to better support our…