PRACTICE AND CHALLENGES OF CHILD PROTECTION BY NGOs: THE CASE OF SAVE THE CHILDREN AT JEWI REFUGEE CAMP

Abstract

Child Protection is an important component of broader protection activities. Protecting children from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect is essential for children to enjoy their rights to survival, development and participation. This study aims to assess the child protection practice and to identify challenges which are hindering effective and efficient implementation of child protection in Jewi refugee camp by Save the children. In order to assess the child protection implementation and to identify the challenges, the researcher adopted descriptive research design. The required data were collected from selected Save the Children staff based in Gambella Field Office and Addis Ababa Office through purposive sampling; and from randomly selected Parents Committee member, Social worker and Child committee members through probability sampling technique. the researcher developed structured questionnaire and open ended questions. Structured questionnaire was used to gate the primary data from SC staff. Moreover, FGD were conducted with the parents and child committee members and with social workers into separate four groups. Mixed approach were employed to analyze and interpret the finding of the study data. Quantitative data were analyzed by using STATA software and the open ended questions were analyzed through narration. Findings of the study revealed that SC did not perform well on working across sectors, on mainstreaming CP in other sectors, identifying and working with preexisting forums, including IYCF in CP, on awareness raising and protecting children from sexual violence. The main challenges identified include shortage of resource, absence of conducive organizational structure, absence of conducive organizational culture, inadequate staffing, high staff turnover, and budget constraint. The researcher recommended Save the Children to scale up CP mainstreaming, strengthen protection partnership, work hard on fundraising, do awareness raising in a better way, prioritize activities, check HRM system and periodic assessment.