The research in this study explores how systems strengthening approaches promoted by humanitarian agencies are perceived to have transpired in South Sudan during the country’s transition to independence. Data were collected in three stages: (i) a literature review of published and ‘grey’ literature; (ii) a workshop to introduce the study to child protection actors in the national ‘child protection working group’ and to map the system from their perspective; and (iii) semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). Key informant interviews and FGDs were conducted across South Sudan from June to August 2012 with national-, state- and community-level actors.
Respondents at the national and state levels cited improved coordination among child protection actors as an example of how the emergency response in South Sudan enhanced the national child protection system. Respondents reported that improved coordination in advocacy and accountability resulted in three key achievements for child protection policy reform: (i) passage of the Child Act (2008); (ii) the establishment of child protection structures and Ministries; and (iii) implementation of the SPLA Action Plan.
IO and UN representatives were nearly unanimous in their claims that limits on ‘capacity’ were a key issue hindering an effective humanitarian response. Study respondents indicated that training and capacity-building initiatives lacked a coordinated, overarching framework aligned with the national system.
Finally, it is notable that national-level actors almost never spoke about community-level capacities, skills or functions in a favorable way. Rather, they described community-level actors as failing to understand international child protection standards.
Limited national funding was unanimously reported as one of the biggest barriers to child protection systems development. Data suggested that existing international funding strategies focused mainly on emergency response rather than systems strengthening. Respondents noted that most funding from the international community rarely surpassed a one-year timeframe.
For a reorientation towards systems strengthening, new strategies must allow for endogenous concepts of child protection to emerge; ensuring that at least some funding is available for local and national organizations will also be critical. Future efforts should ensure that a variety of stakeholders’ voices are included in the development of consensus around child protection priorities and strategies.
