Stop Child Abuse (SCA) is making a significant impact on overcoming barriers to education in the Kakuma refugee camp through its Child Friendly Forum (CFF) and collaborations with partners like Humanity & Inclusion. The situation in Kakuma, one of the largest refugee camps in Kenya, is a microcosm of the challenges many displaced children face in accessing education. The barriers are multifaceted, ranging from health issues to socio-economic constraints, safety concerns, and emotional trauma. However, through community engagement, awareness-raising, and direct intervention, SCA is working to break down these obstacles.

1. Identifying Barriers to Education through Community Engagement

The recent Child Friendly Forum (CFF) in Kakuma was designed as a safe space for children and their parents to openly discuss the reasons why children are dropping out of school. By facilitating a participatory dialogue, SCA and its partners like Humanity & Inclusion are able to gain insights directly from the people most affected—the children themselves and their families. This community-centered approach is critical for understanding the real challenges that children in Kakuma face, which might not always be visible in broader statistics or reports.

Some of the barriers identified during the forum include:

• Health-related Issues: One child shared that their father had told them not to go to school because they suffer from epilepsy. This points to a lack of understanding and support for children with health conditions, especially in a refugee setting where medical care and disability services can be limited. For children with chronic illnesses or disabilities, going to school can be a daunting challenge without the necessary accommodations or healthcare support.
• Child Labor and Caregiving Responsibilities: Another girl expressed that she could not go to school because her mother had passed away, and she was responsible for caring for her younger siblings. This is a common scenario in refugee camps where parents are absent due to death, displacement, or detention. Without social safety nets, older children often bear the burden of caregiving, leaving little time or energy for education.
• Emotional and Psychological Impact: One child spoke about how they wished they could go to school like their friends but were unable to, which highlights the emotional toll that not attending school takes on children. The loss of educational opportunities can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression, further exacerbating the already fragile mental health situation of children living in a refugee camp.
• Safety Concerns: A parent raised concerns about their child’s safety at school due to ongoing conflicts between different refugee communities. These safety issues are compounded in a camp setting where competition for resources, cultural tensions, and inter-group violence can make schools unsafe for vulnerable children.

2. Creating a Safe and Open Environment for Dialogue

One of the most valuable outcomes of the CFF was the creation of a “fun” and “safe” environment where children felt empowered to speak up about their experiences. The use of interactive activities—such as games, storytelling, and group discussions—helped foster a sense of trust and openness. This is crucial in situations where trauma, fear, and mistrust might otherwise silence children and parents. By providing this space, SCA is ensuring that the voices of marginalized and vulnerable children are heard, which is a key step in finding sustainable solutions to the barriers they face.

3. Practical Solutions to Overcome Barriers

The powerful stories shared during the forum underscore the urgent need for practical interventions to remove the barriers to education that children in Kakuma face. SCA and its partners are focused on implementing several strategies to address these challenges:

• Providing Specialized Support for Children with Disabilities or Health Issues: For children like the one with epilepsy, there is a need for health education, access to medical care, and school accommodations. This might involve training teachers to recognize and support students with special needs, as well as ensuring that schools are physically accessible and that children receive the necessary health care and medications.
• Economic and Social Support for Caregiving Children: For children like the girl caring for her siblings, providing social support through community programs, financial aid, or family assistance services could alleviate some of the burdens. By addressing the root cause of child labor and caregiving, SCA can create an environment where children can attend school without the pressure of having to choose between family responsibilities and education.
• Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Services: Given the emotional and psychological toll that lack of education and displacement takes on children, offering mental health services is essential. This could involve counseling services at schools, community-based psychosocial programs, and peer support networks to help children cope with the emotional stress of living in a refugee camp while also fostering resilience and hope for the future.
• Improving School Safety and Security: For children facing safety concerns due to inter-communal conflict, ensuring that schools are safe and secure is critical. This might involve working with local leaders, peace-building organizations, and camp authorities to create safe school environments. SCA could also advocate for conflict-resolution programs within schools and surrounding communities to reduce tensions and violence, allowing children to focus on learning without fear.
• Advocacy for Inclusive Education Policies: SCA’s work in raising awareness about the importance of inclusive education—where every child, regardless of their background or condition, has access to quality learning opportunities—is crucial. By advocating for the rights of refugee children and pushing for more inclusive education policies at the national and international levels, SCA is helping to ensure that the voices of marginalized children in Kakuma are heard and that resources are directed towards addressing the specific challenges they face.

4. Collaborative Approach for Sustainable Impact

SCA’s partnership with organizations like Humanity & Inclusion plays a crucial role in tackling the barriers to education in Kakuma. Collaboration with local and international actors strengthens the impact of interventions and ensures that resources and expertise are mobilized effectively. Whether it’s through providing infrastructure, training educators, or offering psychosocial services, the joint efforts of multiple stakeholders are helping to create a more supportive and inclusive educational environment for children in Kakuma.

Conclusion

The stories shared by children and parents in the Kakuma refugee camp underscore the depth of the challenges that refugee children face in accessing education. However, they also serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of these children to pursue their education despite overwhelming obstacles. Through its Child Friendly Forum and collaborative efforts with organizations like Humanity & Inclusion, SCA is not only listening to these voices but also actively working to remove the barriers that prevent children from learning. By addressing health, safety, emotional well-being, and social support, SCA is making significant strides toward ensuring that every child in Kakuma has the opportunity to go to school, learn, and build a better future.

Stop Child Abuse (SCA) Gender Justice and Equality Program

Background:

The Stop Child Abuse (SCA) organization’s initiative to conduct educational sessions on Gender Justice and Equality in refugee camps like Kakuma is a crucial step towards creating awareness and fostering a more equitable society. Such programs are especially important in refugee settings, where traditional gender roles and power dynamics may be exacerbated by displacement and trauma.

Program Overview:

The educational session conducted by Gender Champions for adolescent girls and boys aims to address critical issues related to gender justice, equality, and the prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). By targeting young people, the program seeks to instill values of fairness and respect early on, potentially breaking cycles of violence and discrimination.

Key Components of the Program:

1. Understanding Gender Justice:

   – Definition and importance of gender justice

   – Historical context and evolution of gender roles

   – Intersectionality and its impact on gender experiences

2. Equality vs. Equity:

   – Differentiating between equality and equity

   – Practical examples of how equity leads to true equality

   – Discussing barriers to equality in various social contexts

3. Forms of Gender-Based Violence:

   – Identifying different types of GBV (physical, emotional, sexual, economic)

   – Understanding the root causes of GBV

   – Dispelling myths and misconceptions about GBV

4. Reporting Mechanisms for GBV:

   – Overview of available reporting channels in the camp

   – Confidentiality and safety considerations when reporting

   – Role of community leaders, NGOs, and law enforcement in addressing GBV

5. Bystander Intervention:

   – Importance of speaking up against gender-based discrimination and violence

   – Safe and effective ways to intervene or seek help

   – Building a culture of accountability and support

6. Promoting Fairness in Daily Life:

   – Recognizing and challenging gender stereotypes

   – Encouraging equal participation in education, household duties, and community activities

   – Fostering respectful communication between genders

Implementation Strategies:

7. Interactive Learning:

   The program employs participatory methods to engage adolescents actively. This may include:

   – Role-playing exercises to practise intervention scenarios

   – Group discussions to share personal experiences and perspectives

   – Case studies analysis to apply learned concepts to real-life situations

7. Peer-to-Peer Education:

   Gender Champions, who are likely respected members of the community, serve as facilitators. This peer-led approach can increase the program’s credibility and relevance to participants.

8. Cultural Sensitivity:

   The program is tailored to respect cultural norms while challenging harmful practices. Facilitators are trained to navigate sensitive topics with care and respect for diverse backgrounds.

9. Age-Appropriate Content:

   Materials and discussions are adapted to suit the cognitive and emotional development of adolescents, ensuring that complex topics are presented in an understandable manner.

10. Continuous Engagement:

   Follow-up sessions or activities are planned to reinforce learning and provide ongoing support to participants.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Increased Awareness:

   Participants gain a deeper understanding of gender justice concepts and the various forms of GBV.

2. Improved Reporting:

   Adolescents become familiar with reporting mechanisms, potentially leading to increased reporting of GBV cases.

3. Attitude Change:

   The program aims to shift attitudes towards more equitable gender norms and relationships.

4. Skill Development:

   Participants develop skills in communication, conflict resolution, and bystander intervention.

5. Community Impact:

   As participants share their knowledge with peers and family members, the program’s impact can extend beyond the initial group of 50 adolescents.

Challenges and Considerations:

1. Limited Resources:

   Refugee camp settings often face resource constraints, which may affect the program’s reach and sustainability.

2. Cultural Resistance:

   Some community members may resist changes to traditional gender roles, necessitating sensitive and gradual approaches.

3. Trauma-Informed Approach:

   Given the potential for trauma among refugee populations, facilitators must be trained to handle disclosures and provide appropriate support or referrals.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation:

   Developing effective methods to measure the program’s long-term impact can be challenging but is crucial for improvement and securing ongoing support.

Conclusion:

The SCA Gender Justice and Equality Program represents a significant step towards creating a more equitable and safe environment for adolescents in refugee camps. 

By addressing root causes of gender-based discrimination and violence, and equipping young people with knowledge and skills, the program has the potential to contribute to lasting social change. Continuous adaptation, community involvement, and long-term commitment will be key to the program’s success and sustainability.

The refugee camps of Kakuma and Kalobeyei are home to thousands of individuals who have been displaced from their homes due to various conflicts and crises. Among the challenges they face, the lack of access to quality education is a significant concern. Many children in these camps are unable to attend school due to insufficient resources and materials. This deprivation of education has long-term consequences, as it hampers their intellectual, social, and emotional development.

Education plays a vital role in empowering individuals and promoting a brighter future. It equips children with knowledge, skills, and opportunities that enable them to break the cycle of poverty and contribute positively to their communities. By investing in their education, we can help these children overcome the hardships they face as refugees and enable them to rebuild their lives.

SCA recognizes the importance of education and has been working tirelessly to address the educational challenges in the camps. Through their mobilization efforts, they aim to identify children who are out of school and create awareness among the community about the importance of education. SCA also seeks to secure the necessary resources, such as textbooks, stationery, and learning materials, to ensure that these children have the tools they need to excel academically.

Furthermore, SCA’s commitment to stopping child abuse is of utmost importance. we understand that a safe and nurturing environment is crucial for children to thrive academically and emotionally. By raising awareness about child abuse and implementing preventive measures, SCA is actively working to safeguard the well-being of these vulnerable children.

In conclusion, the challenges faced by children in Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps regarding access to education are indeed significant. However, the efforts put forth by SCA to mobilize and support these children deserve our admiration and support. It is essential for us, as a community, to come together and provide the necessary resources and assistance to ensure that every child in these camps has the opportunity to receive an education. Let us join hands in empowering these young minds and creating a better future for them.

Across the globe conflicts are becoming increasingly protracted, new escalations of violence are occurring, climate disasters are more frequent, and humanitarian crises are worsening. Such realities are displacing more children than ever before and for longer periods of time. Many children are now spending their entire childhoods displaced, and for some, their entire childhoods in refugee camps. A growing population of refugee children in protracted displacement contexts demands concrete action from the international community to ensure that, even if displaced, all children have access to essential services, have their basic needs met, and their rights upheld.

In August and September 2023, USCRI Policy Analyst Victoria Walker travelled to Kenya to visit both Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps and Kalobeyei Settlement with an aim to better understand the experiences of refugee children in the camps and to examine access to education and child protection services within the camps. The following section of a forthcoming report presents key findings from the field visits as it relates to access to education for refugee children, including the unique challenges faced by refugee girls.

If you want to learn more about the education and protection needs of refugee children in Kenya, read our Policy & Advocacy Brief: Her Dreams to Achieve: Ensuring Protection and Education for Refugee Girls.

GOMA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 28 September 2023 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is on track to have record levels of verified grave violations against children for a third consecutive year in 2023.

Intensifying violence, massive displacement, and proximity of armed groups to communities are leading to an alarming increase in cases of killing, maiming, and abduction of children in DRC. If trends continue, the country is on track to reach new highs since the United Nations Monitoring and Reporting mechanism started in 2005, and surpassing records set in 2022.

“I met children who survived the horrors of recruitment and use by armed groups and the unspeakable trauma of sexual violence – atrocities that no one should experience, let alone children,” said Sheema Sen Gupta, UNICEF’s Director of Child Protection, during a week-long mission to DRC. “These harrowing stories underscore the urgency for the government to intensify its efforts to safeguard civilians – especially the most vulnerable, the country’s children – and actions needed from partners and donors to be able to scale up our prevention and response activities.”

Latest data shows there has been a 41 per cent increase in the number of verified grave violations against children in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. There were 3,377 grave violations against 2,420 children in all of 2022, according to the June 2023 Children and Armed Conflict – Report of the Secretary-General.

Recruitment and use of children in armed groups has spiked by 45 per cent in the first six months of the year. In 2022, 1,545 children – some as young as 5 years old – were verified as having been recruited and used by armed groups. Killing and maiming of children was up 32 per cent in the same period, compared to 699 cases last year.

Rape and other acts of sexual violence against children and abduction of children are also on an upward trajectory. In both 2021 and 2022, DRC had the world’s highest levels of verified cases of sexual violence against children committed by armed forces and armed groups.  Moreover, in 2022, 730 children were verified as abducted, making it the highest number of abductions ever verified by the United Nations in the DRC.

“This violence is unacceptable. We call on all parties to the conflict to take measures to prevent and end all grave violations against children,” added Sen Gupta.

Since violence flared in October 2022, 1.5 million people have been forced to flee for their lives in eastern DRC, taking them away from their homes, livelihoods and communities, and children away from their schools. There is a total of 6.1 million displaced people in eastern DRC.

In response to increasing violations and the urgent needs, UNICEF has provided more than 100,000 children with mental health and psychosocial support services and has assisted more than 6,300 survivors of gender-based violence since the beginning of the year. Despite that, UNICEF has received only 11 per cent of funds required for its child protection response under UNICEF’s emergency appeal in eastern DRC, meaning most needs are going unmet.

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