There has been a lot of improvement in children’s education, healthcare and general wellbeing globally, yet many children across the world have remained vulnerable due to a multitude of factors including conflict and poverty. Whilst it is the responsibility of governing authorities to provide policies and infrastructure that provide care and protection for children, civil society organisations continue to play a crucial role in advocating for, and facilitating the reduction of child vulnerability. In Nigeria, the SOS Children’s Villages, a child-focused international social development organization, has been at the forefront of this movement. Our recent campaign at Edo State, Nigeria underscores the crucial role such organisations play in helping and protecting vulnerable children.
A vulnerable child is anyone under the age of 18, who has been identified as being at greater risk of experiencing physical or emotional harm, or those who are at risk of achieving poor outcomes due to factors in their lives. According to the United Nations, one out of six children lives in extreme poverty, living on less than 1.90 dollars a day. Also, more than 175 million children are not enrolled in pre-primary education, missing a critical investment opportunity and suffering deep inequalities from the start. UNICEF’s calls for global action on child vulnerability include keeping children healthy and well nourished; reaching vulnerable children with water, sanitation and hygiene; keeping children learning; supporting families to care for children; and protecting children from violence, exploitation and abuse.
SOS Children’s Villages is the largest non-governmental organisation focused on supporting children without parental care and families at risk. It champions the care and protection of children and young people in 136 countries and territories worldwide. In Nigeria, SOS Children’s Villages is working with children, families, communities, partners and governments to help families stay together as much as possible. When this is not possible, we provide quality care according to their unique needs, so that children at risk of losing or have no parental care receive necessary and appropriate care. SOS children’s Villages Nigeria has presence in Lagos, Ogun, Plateau, Kaduna, Oyo, Borno and Edo States as well as the Federal Capital Territory where we have reached over 50,000 children, youths and families. SOS CVN achieves its goals through 3 program components: Family Strengthening, Youth Development and Advocacy for Care Reform.
Funded by the German Government through its Department of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the ‘Reducing Child Vulnerability’ project was aimed at reducing the vulnerability of children in the state through family, youth and community empowerment. The project is built on the foundations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Eradicating Poverty, Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities. Using a civic driven change model, the project delivered support through 3 through three program components: Family Strengthening, Youth Development and Advocacy for Care Reform.
Since inception in 2019, the Reducing Vulnerable Children project has supported 1,619 children drawn from 399 socio-economically vulnerable families in Uzebu and Umegbe Communities of Oredo LGA, Edo State.
At the recently-held final conference with relevant project stakeholders, it was revealed that the project had improved the chances of 325 young people of getting decent work and building sustainable businesses. Over 500 children in 3 primary schools now have access to safe learning environment. Also, 300 caregivers have improved incomes and actively support the development of over 900 children, through regular savings of 300 families in 15 Village savings and Loans association. Furthermore, 300 Families have improved Childcare and Parenting skills leading to child abuse reduction, and improvement of child-parent relationship amongst project families whilst 399 families have improved health and life style practices through continuous health promotion.
Overall, the project has increased the chances for better care for orphaned, abandoned and other vulnerable children in Edo State with the development of the Edo State Guidelines for Alternative Care of Children.
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