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introduction
information may emerge if discussion is
possible through personal contacts
between agencies. In general, there is
interest to share what works, but not
always lessons learned and challenges
experienced; this limits the analysis of good
practice highlighted in this report.
In the broad task of promoting a safer world
for children, it is hoped that this study –
while regional in nature – will highlight
themes or approaches relevant to other
regions.
Child-focused indicators of good
practice
Focus groups discussions were held, where
possible, with community groups of adults
and children in project locations. Discussion
followed themes of the study and used
survey tools (refer Appendix) to identify
community perceptions of child protection
risks, and examples of activities that reduced
these risks.
Programs reviewed had identified a range of
child protection risk factors, which could be
clustered under these headings:
• Sociological: Lack of opportunity for
children to participate in decisions that
affect them. Limits of prescribed gender
roles, leisure time or options were
identified as significant contributors to poor
attitude and practice to children’s issues on
the part of adults and community leaders.
These contributed to inappropriate
discipline and to harmful or exploitive
practices.
• Economic: Poverty was identified as a
significant contributing factor that can lead
children to being placed in hazardous
labour or being subjected to physical/sexual
abuse.
• Legal: Lack of community-level
infrastructure or links with government
agencies of child protection was identified
as contributing to inaction on known issues
of child protection.
• Advocacy/political: Poor monitoring of
actual cases and links between policy and
practice were identified as contributing to
situations where child protection issues
were not being addressed.
Child protection in the
context of a community
development program
Empowering community
World Vision’s principal development model
works with people, communities and
structures across a geographical area over a
period of 10–15 years, to address issues of
access and capacity, to measurably improve
the situation for children, and to accompany a
process through which children, families and
communities move towards wholeness of life
with dignity, justice and hope. World Vision
calls this approach “transformational
development”.
These communities may be characterised
by hardships including frequent flood or
drought, poor infrastructure, low levels of
access to services, or a high prevalence of
health needs. Common program initiatives
include agricultural and infrastructure
improvement, health service development
and integrated development to promote
sustainable livelihoods. The approach usually
includes community organising to build
ownership and involvement on important
issues of common concern. Long-term,
widespread, measurable and sustainable
outcomes are important to donors and
implementing agencies alike.
Current approaches
Development aims to benefit children in
communities through infrastructure
improvement and livelihood improvement,
which enhance the protection a family can
give to its children as hunger and poverty
lessen. Measures that address or prevent
debt are particularly important, since debt
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