Women's Groups In Pujehun District Ready to Lead Child Protection Campaign

^{Women's group champions having an interactive session during the training in Messima, Pujehun district. February 2023. Photo Credit Dora Bangura SCI}

In February, Save the Children trained women's groups across ten communities in Pujehun district on their roles and responsibilities in child protection. These women will be the mothers support group champions, leading sensitizations and campaigns in their communities to ensure that girls and boys are safe, protected from violence and experience improved well-being, whether at school, at home, or in the community.

We all have a responsibility to protect and promote the rights of children, and it is heartening to see that Save the Children is working towards this goal through the 'Right to be a Child' project in Pujehun district.

During the training, the women participated in group discussions and other engaging activities to grasp the message effectively. They were sensitized on the various forms of violence, including Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) against children and how to identify and report such cases. They were also trained on the importance of creating safe, protective, and playful environments for children in their homes and communities.

The project's focus on involving women and empowering them as change agents is particularly commendable, as it recognizes the important role that women play in child-rearing and community development.

These women will form the mothers' support group champions and they are will lead sensitization and campaign activities in their communities to ensure that girls and boys are safe, protected from violence, and experience improved well-being. They will achieve their goal by increasing the capacity of parents and caregivers.

The project is a step towards creating a safe and protective environment for children in Pujehun district. By empowering these women with knowledge and skills on child protection, the project aims to reduce violence against children, improve their well-being, and create an enabling environment for them to thrive. The mothers' support group champions are expected to play a significant role in achieving these objectives by sensitizing their communities on child protection and promoting positive parenting practices.