The Catholic Church of Damongo has organised a two- day Safeguarding and Child Protection Conference with the engagement of stakeholders and opinion leaders in a comprehensive discussion on creating a secure and supportive environment for children.
This was held at the Unity Centre, Damongo on July 30 and 31, 2024 during which discussions centered on the risk of child insecurity perpetuating into adulthood, and potential long-term effects on individuals and society as a whole.
Sr. Rejoice Mary Enyonam Hoedoafia, a Catholic Nun renowned for her work in child protection, skillfully facilitated the workshop.
Her passion and knowledge in this field created a supportive and informative environment, allowing participants to engaged fully with the material and develop their skills and understanding.
The workshop drew a wide range of participants, including Traditional leaders, Security men and women, Front-line staff and Secretaries from education and health institutions within the diocese.
Also in attendance were men and women who are instrumental in supporting the health, education and well- being of children in the community and Child Protection Agencies.
Their collective input and insights were invaluable in exploring effective strategies for safeguarding and protecting children within the diocese.
During the workshop, participants underwent a comprehensive training programme, covering key aspects of child protection, including understanding child protection, abuse and trauma, social context and dynamics of abuse, recognizing signs and symptoms of abuse and reporting procedures for suspected abuse.
Others were supporting the child and ensuring their well-being, developing and implementing child protection policies, roles and responsibilities of staff, volunteers, and stakeholders in policy implementation, risk assessment and management, identifying potential risks and strategies for mitigation and creating a safe environment and promoting a culture of safety and awareness.
Through interactive sessions and expert facilitation, participants gained a deep understanding of these critical topics, empowering them to effectively execute their roles as stakeholders in protecting children and preventing abuse.
The participants stressed the need for a child-centered approach ensuring that children’s safety, well-being, and needs are paramount, particularly in institutional environment.
Traditional leaders committed to establishing a clear delineation between their responsibilities and those of security personnel in preventing and responding to child abuse.
By acknowledging their complementary roles, they aimed to strengthen the safety net for vulnerable children and ensure a unified approach to safeguarding their well-being.
Ms. Severa Koyiri, the Project Officer thanked the participants for their active engagement and collaboration, stressing that the knowledge and skills acquired during the workshop should be utilized to benefit the children.
She called for continued collective effort and co-operation to drive positive change and improve the lives of children.
Sr. Juliana A. Atuuna, SMI (Sister Communicator)
