Child protection
We support child protection systems to prevent and respond to violence, abuse and the exploitation of children
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Challenges
Despite numerous challenges, the Central African Republic (CAR) has made significant progress in improving the protective environment for children. The country has continued its efforts to improve its legal framework and bring it into line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2020, CAR adopted a Child Protection Code, which seeks to protect children against all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation.
In 2024, UNICEF supported the government with the establishment of the National Council for the Promotion and Protection of Children (CNPPE), which aims to coordinate all the interventions of bilateral and multi-lateral partners involved in the child protection sector in CAR.
The launch of the National Strategy to Combat Child Marriage and FGM in CAR (2024-2027) in December 2023 is also an important achievement. A protocol on the transfer of children associated with armed groups, signed by the Central African government, the United Nations and UNICEF in September 2024, stipulates that minors who have left these groups must be transferred to the nearest social services within 24 hours.
But upholding the children's rights still faces several major constraints, including recurrent political and security crises, cultural practices, social norms and weak institutional capacity. This situation increases children's vulnerability to violence, abuse and exploitation.
Some data
Overall, child protection indicators are weak.
According to data from the MICS-6 survey (2018-2019):
Around nine in 10 children aged 1-14 were exposed to violent discipline.
More than six in 10 women aged 20-24 were married before the age of 18.
Fewer than five in 10 children under the age of 5 are registered.
Around three in 10 children aged 5-17 are involved in child labour.
Our work
-Application of a protective normative framework for children
Support for the implementation and application of the normative framework relating to child protection, in particular through the development and implementation of sectoral plans for the application of the Child Protection Code in the education, social welfare, justice and civil status sectors. This support also includes advocacy for effective coordination of the sector, adequate funding, and the mobilisation of sufficient resources, both in quality and quantity, to ensure effective and sustainable implementation.
Behavioural change
Support for community dialogue and behavioural change communication with a view to abandoning certain harmful practices, such as child marriage, genital mutilation and child labour.
Caring for vulnerable children
The provision of prevention, care and protection services concerns in particular children presumed to be associated with armed groups and forces, girls who are victims of sexual violence, and unaccompanied or separated children. In the context of displacement, the management of Child-Friendly Spaces is a specific aspect of this intervention. Birth registration is also integrated into protection activities.
Skills development
Life skills development and vocational training for adolescents to improve their ability to protect themselves against abuse and exploitation.