Directorate of Children’s Affairs
Overview
The Directorate of Children’s Affairs, under the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA), is responsible for leading and coordinating policies, programmes, and interventions that promote and protect the rights and welfare of children under 18 years. Guided by the 2019 Government Gazette, the Directorate ensures effective implementation of legal frameworks and works with key stakeholders to address issues affecting children nationwide.
Key Functions
- Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies and legal frameworks relating to children under 18 years.
- Promote and support the full participation of children in national development initiatives.
- Address and respond to issues of violence and abuse against children.
- Liaise with development partners and NGOs supporting child welfare and protection.
- Collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on child-related issues.
- Supervise and oversee the functions of the National Children’s Commission (NCC).
Divisions/Units of the Directorate
The Child Protection Unit
1. Develop and strengthen child protection system (i.e. a strategic approach); coordination, collaboration and monitoring.
2. Develop or review and implementing legal frameworks, minimum standards, regulatory frameworks and guidelines for child protection programs.
The Child/Juvenile justice (Probation Unit)
Deals with children in conflict and in contact with the law—Court Monitoring, including the Remand Homes and the Approved School. Also provides family mediation, including child custody & access to parents/families that are separated.
The Alternative care (Case Work Unit)
Deals with child maintenance supports; including fostering and referral of vulnerable children in interim care or residential homes) for temporal placements while doing family tracing, reunification, and community reintegration.
The Directorate has successfully undertaken several activities to promote and protect the rights of children at all levels against abuse, violence and exploitation. Coordination meetings of different layers were organized and Technical Working Groups (TWGs) were set up to strategize the mechanisms and the interventions required to address issues affecting children.