CANDIDATE NAME: RWAZEMBA NYASHA E.
CANDIDATE NUMBER:
CENTRE NUMBER:
LEARNING AREA: F.R.S
DISTRICT: GOROMONZI
PROVINCE: MASHONALAND EAST
STAGE 1: PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
CHILD ABUSE
1.1: Problem description: Children’s rights are violated in many communities in Zimbabwe. This
widespread violation of children’s rights is most common in schools like Rusununguko High school
where physical, emotional abuse including bullying and discrimination, lack of access to equal
education and child labour. This is increasingly hindering the well-being of children and their future
developments and prospects.
1.2: STATEMENT OF INTENT
The intention of this project is to unearth the different ways in which children’s rights are violated,
and to suggest the impacts of child abuse. The project seeks to explore the strategies that must be
employed to address children’s rights violation at Rusununguko High School and the entire
community.
1.3: DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
-Researching on the causes and impacts of violation of children’s rights (using interviews,
questionnaires)
-Outlining strategies that can be used to address children’s rights violation
-Promote awareness and understanding of children’s rights among students, teachers and parents
-Supporting victims of child abuse
1.4: PROJECT OUTCOMES
-Reduced violation of children’s rights
-Increased awareness on children’s rights
-Improved support services of victims of abuse
STAGE 2: INVESTIGATION OF RELATED IDEAS
Identifying at least 3 solutions prescribed by others before by interviewing children about issues
where their rights are being violated
EXISTING SOLUTIONS
Idea 1: Strengthening child protection laws and policies
Evidence: Implementing and enforcing laws that protect children from abuse, exploitation and
violence, and providing support services for victims.
ADVANTAGES
-Provides a solid foundation for protecting children’s rights.
-Clear policies and laws hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
-Laws can provide specific protections for vulnerable groups including those with disabilities.
-Strengthened laws can facilitate international cooperation and extraction of offenders.
DISADVANTAGES
-Require significant resources which may not be available.
-Laws may conflict with cultural practices.
-Laws have unintended consequences, such as driving issues underground.
-Laws may not be effectively implemented.
Idea 2: Community-Based protection
Evidence: Establishing community based child protection committees to identify, support, and refer
children at risk to relevant services and promoting community awareness and engagement on child
protection issues.
ADVANTAGES
-Can be tailored to local contexts and cultures.
-Involves the community in protecting children, thereby promoting ownership and responsibility.
-Can be more effective in protecting vulnerable persons.
-Can be more sustainable in the long-term.
DISADAVANTAGES
-May lack resources and funding.
-Community members may lack expertise in child protection.
-May be influenced by local power dynamics.
-May be difficult to scale up.
Idea 3: Capacity building for duty-bearers
Evidence: Training and capacity building for government officials, teachers, healthcare workers on
child rights and protection, to ensure that they effectively prevent child rights violations.
ADVANTAGES
-Can improve services for children.
-Duty-bearers are more likely to be held accountable for their actions.
-Can facilitate collaboration between different sectors.
-Can contribute to long-term sustainability.
DISADVANTAGES
-Can be resource intensive.
-May not reach the entire community.
-May conflict with cultural practices.
-May create dependence on external support.
OVERALL QUALITY
The solutions provide comprehensive approach and a range of support services for children,
including protection, education and healthcare. They promote community engagement and are
sustainable for long-term. Nevertheless they face implementation challenges due to lack of
resources and cultural resistance.
STAGE 3: GENERATION OF POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Give at least 3 possible solutions different from prescribed by others before
Solution 1: Child-Friendly courts
Evidence: Establishing child-friendly courts that provide a safe supportive environment for children to
testify justice. This could include training judges, prosecutors and lawyers on child rights and child
friendly procedures.
ADVANTAGES
-Can increase access to justice for children who have experienced abuse.
-Can reduce trauma experienced by child witness and victims.
-Can increase accountability for perpetrators of child abuse.
-Provides holistic support to children.
DISADVANTAGES
-Resource intensive since it requires significant training and funding.
-May not be accessible to all children, particularly those in rural areas.
-May face cultural resistance from some communities.
-Difficult to scale up to have a greater impact.
Solution 2: School-based child protection clubs
Evidence: Establish child protection clubs in schools to promote awareness and prevention of child
abuse. This include training teachers and students on child rights and protection.
ADVANTAGES
-Can identify and intervene in cases of child abuses early preventing further harm.
-Promote awareness on child abuse and prevention.
-Clubs can create a supportive environment for children to disclose exploitation.
-Increased accountability.
DISADVANTAGES
-Clubs may rely on limited resources such as funding and volunteer time.
-Teachers may lack the capacity to effectively support child protection clubs.
-Clubs can be stigmatized by some students and parents.
-Requires effective communication and collaboration.
Solution 3: Awareness campaigns
Evidence: Organize community awareness campaigns to educate parents, caregivers, teachers and
students about children’s rights and the importance of protecting them.
ADAVNTAGES
-Campaigns can reach a large audience.
-Can influence behaviour and attitudes, promoting positive change.
-Can engage communities in child protection efforts, thereby promoting community responsibility.
-Can empower children and communities to demand their rights.
DISADAVANTAGES
-May have limited impact if not followed by concrete actions.
-May face cultural resistance.
-Resource intensive.
-Campaigns may not be sustainable, requiring ongoing support and resources.
OVERALL QUALITY
Solutions are well-mentioned and can be effective, but requires careful planning, resource allocation
and implementation to achieve maximum impact.
STAGE 4: DEVELOPMENT OF POSSIBLE SOLUTION
4.1: Select the best choice of solution from the 3 in stage 3
Selected solution: School-Based Child Protection Clubs
4.2: Indication of choice
School-based child protection clubs appears to be the most promising solution for Rusununguko
High School to address child abuse.
4.3: Justification of choice
1. Early intervention: School-based child protection can identify and intervene in case of child abuse
early, reducing further harm and long-term impact on the child.
2. Cost effective: Integrating child protection into the existing education system can be a cost
effective approach, leveraging existing infrastructure and resources.
3. Student empowerment: School-based child protection can empower students to demand their
rights, recognize abuse and seek help when needed, promoting a culture of child protection and
respect for child rights.
4.4: REFINEMENTS/DEVELOPMENTS OF THE SELECTED SOLUTION
1. Teacher training: Provide comprehensive training for teachers on child abuse, rights and reporting
procedures. Equip teachers with skills to identify and support children at risk.
2. Form child protection clubs: Establish child protection clubs in schools led by trained teachers and
students, to promote awareness, support and reporting of child abuse and exploitation.
3. Community engagement: Engage parents, community leaders and local organizations in child
protection efforts. Foster partnerships to support child protection initiatives referrals.
4. Monitoring and evaluation: Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and
impact. Regularly review and improve the effectiveness of child protection initiatives.
4.5: OVERALL PRESENTATION OF FINAL SOLUTION
The refined School-Based Child Protection Club provides personalized awareness, early intervention
and support for children at risk, safe and accessible reporting mechanisms for children at
Rusununguko High School and other communities to learn about their rights, report child abuse and
receive support.
STAGE 5: PRESENTATION OF FINAL SOLUTION
5.2: Implementation Plan
-Collaborate with the government, NGOs and community to roll out the program.
-Train teachers and establish child protection clubs.
-Engage communities and setup reporting mechanisms.
-Monitor progress and evaluate impact.
Conclusion: By implementing School-based child protection clubs, Rusununguko High School can
effectively address the issue of child abuse and create a safe environment.
STAGE 6: EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATION
6.1: Listed challenges encountered during the project
-Limited resources hindered program implementation.
-Cultural barriers conflicted with child protection principles.
-Stigma and fear among students.
-Teacher capacity to effectively support and implement child protection.
-Difficulty engaging communities and building trust impacted program effectiveness.
6.2: Recommendations of the project
1. Strengthen community engagement: increase community overreach and awareness to build trust
and support.
2. Enhance teacher training: Provide regular support and training for teachers on child protection
and reporting procedures.
3. Foster partnerships: Collaborate with the government, NGOs and local community organizations
to leverage resources and expertise.
4. Address cultural barriers: Engage with community leaders to address cultural practices that may
conflict with child protection principles.
