Congo/ Child protection: stakeholders build their capacities

The official launch of the project Action de renforcement du système de protection des enfants et jeunes vivant dans rue privés de leurs droits humains fondamentaux, in the department of Pointe-Noire, took place on October 30 in the presence of Evelyne Tchitchelle and Arle Ntonda, respectively mayor of the city and director of the local Samusocial.

Patron of the meeting, the city's mayor indicated that the new Samusocial project, whose importance she fully appreciates, will undoubtedly help to combat the social exclusion of children and young people living on the streets of Pointe-Noire.She went on to talk to participants about their support role and the collaborators expected during the project's implementation.

"Given the quality of the participants and the commitment of all involved, I remain convinced that the relevant lessons will emerge from your exchanges. Only in this way can we contribute to putting an end to the stigmatization and societal rejection of children and young people living on the streets", she declared.

For his part, Samusocial's director explained that this project is particularly aimed at respecting human rights, especially those of children and young people living on the streets. Samusocial has been present in Pointe-Noire since 2006. This project, he continued, represents a vast program aimed at reinforcing the various actions to take into account the specific needs of children, particularly young girls living on the streets.

"The project began on May 15 and will run for three years. It will end on May 15, 2027. Its main objective is to improve living conditions, in other words, to take into account the specific needs of children living on the streets", he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Simplice Médard Ngo, Departmental Director of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms for Pointe-Noire, pointed out that that in the space of fifteen years, over three thousand children and young people living on the streets have been identified in the coastal city.

"The protection of street children and young people is governed by international and national legal instruments. The protection of street children and young people is not only the prerogative of public authorities and private legal entities working on this issue, but concerns all citizens", he explained.

Source: www.adiac-congo.com/