The objectives of this study, which was conducted from January-April 2011 in Sierra Leone, were: to learn about local beliefs and values concerning children, childhood and harms to children; to explore the actions that communities take and the mechanisms that they use for children’s protection; and to understand if and how these actions and mechanisms are linked to the government-led child protection system.

This presentation describes research undertaken in Sierra Leone by an inter-agency group to map the child protection system in the country, including the community-based child protection mechanisms (CBCPMs) in place.

Executive summary

Ce document présente les conclusions et perspectives générées par la cartographie et l'évaluation des systèmes nationaux de protection de l'enfance dans cinq pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest, à savoir : la Côte d’Ivoire, le Ghana, le Niger, le Sénégal et la Sierra Leone.

This mapping and analysis was conducted in late 2009 in Sierra Leone to analyze the existing laws, structures and services for child protection in the country and found these laws and systems to be falling short of reaching their intended impact. 

Mapping of existing facilities caring for children in residential capacity for use in developing child protection standards

Examines the challenges posed in monitoring and ensuring child protection in informal and formal fostering in post-conflict areas.

This document is intended to provide concrete advice on how to put the guiding principles common to most child protection actors into practice. Though cultural traditions and customs may require the advice to be adapted to the specific context, the authors believe that the advice provided is grounded in sufficiently broad experience to guide measures that ensure children under five are not separated when this can be avoided, and, if separated, can be reunited with their families as quickly as possible.

The Child Rights Act of 2007 provides for the promotion of the rights of the child compatible with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20th November, 1989, and its Optional Protocol of 8th September, 2000, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and for other related matters.

Outlines national efforts to disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate former child soldiers with respect to specific political contexts. Includes lessons learned, future challenges, and recommendations.