SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA BURKINA FASO

Children in conflict with the law now receive better assistance, as awareness and respect for their rights has improved, thanks to clearer internal processes and a new Code of Ethics and Child Protection Policy at CERMICOL.

CERMICOL set up a children's committee so that youths have an opportunity to share their views with management and exercise their right to participation.

CERMICOL also revised its practices and approaches in order to refocus the organisation's mission on education and social reintegration. The procedures for assisting children in conflict with the law were clarified in order to ensure their rights are respected at every step and to increase the likelihood of effective social reintegration.

Staff at the Keoogo Association gained a better understanding of children's rights and needs, and improved their ability to identify cases of sexual and gender-based violence. After attending a series of workshops facilitated by the volunteers, they are now able to assist children more effectively. This means that children experiencing homelessness receive better support and are served in a manner that upholds their rights more effectively.

Various activities were carried out during my assignment and they resulted in [...] a change in the status of youth in conflict with the law. These youths are no longer considered prisoners who should be treated as such. Instead, they are seen as children whose rights must be respected […]

- Fabrice Kazadi,

OUR PARTNERS: ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS OF BURKINA FASO, THE KEOOGO ASSOCIATION AND THE CENTRE FOR EDUCATION AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF MINORS IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW (CERMICOL).

A Story Of Change

Thanks to the work of a dedicated PRIDE volunteer, Keoogo and the Association of Women Lawyers have started working together to make sure children receive good social, medical and legal support once they are in the care of either organisation. Keoogo now provides medical care for the children who are referred by the Association of Women Lawyers. Meanwhile, the latter provides legal and judicial support to children who are referred by Keoogo, a change that promises to facilitate the social reintegration of these children.