CENTERING GRASSROOTS ACTORS IN NETWORKING FOR CHILD PROTECTION IN EAST AFRICA

Violence against children (VAC) is both a global and local concern that has resulted in several child protection initiatives by formal and informal networks in East Africa. The dominant narrative on networking for VAC prevention and response significantly focuses on the functionality of formal netwo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of child, youth & family studies IJCYFS youth & family studies IJCYFS, 2022-01, Vol.13 (2-3), p.88-104
Main Authors: Kakuru, Doris M., Kamusiime, Annah, Lindner, Kylee, Assiimwe, Jacqueline
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abused children
Child Abuse
Child abuse & neglect
Child Advocacy
Child Safety
Child welfare
Children
Children & youth
Civil society
Community
Decision making
Domestic violence
Empowerment
Focus Groups
Global local relationship
Grass roots movement
Institutionalization
Networking
Networks
Protection
R&D
Rescue workers
Research & development
violence against children (VAC), child protection, grassroots initiatives, community empowerment, networks and networking
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Summary:Violence against children (VAC) is both a global and local concern that has resulted in several child protection initiatives by formal and informal networks in East Africa. The dominant narrative on networking for VAC prevention and response significantly focuses on the functionality of formal networks and ignores grassroots networks. We conducted research to explore the functionality and corresponding impact of diverse networks that work to prevent and respond to VAC in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Study participants were VAC network leads at grassroots, subnational, and national levels, and network funders. Data were collected using interviews, document review, and focus group discussions. We found that scholarly literature illuminates the role of formal networks at the expense of grassroots networks, which are ignored and minoritized in literature. This may contribute to a disparity between the funding of grassroots and formal networks. Yet, grassroots network actors are VAC first responders and are instrumental in child protection work. We contend that it is vital to center grassroots networks in VAC policies, programs, and research in order to achieve sustainable connections between networks, communities, and funders, and to empower communities to protect children from abuse.
ISSN:1920-7298
1920-7298
DOI:10.18357/ijcyfs132-3202221114