Kudzanai Mativirira
A Child Protection Specialist with more than 20years experience in Child Protection and 10years experience working in Humanitarian settings.A member of the CP Alliance and a trained CP Coordinator.
Location I am a Zimbabwean by Nationality but currently working in South Sudan as a Protection Manager with Nonviolent Peaceforce..
Activity
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Thanks Everyone. Interesting to see some Child Protection Gurus I have met at different foras. Keep up the good work. Till then, take care.
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
I think Child Protection partners in the various countries should continue sharing best practices, with the Global CPAoR playing a key role in giving guidance even before outbreaks so that we are caught unaware.
-
The key gaps and priorities for engagement with the Government might be minimal or non existence of funding. Many Governments fail to meet its goals due to lack of funds. In some instances the low capacity can also be a factors that hinders maximum progress. It is therefore good to build the capacity of Government staff and also ensure that he existing...
-
The programme could include case workers so that they are able to cope with the demands of their cases loads and also be aware of how to respond to the changing context , timely and effectively.
Key topics could include what Covid is, how to protect themselves, minimize face to face interactions, online methods available to respond to child protection needs...
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Although I am a Child Protection worker, I have really gained a lot from this course. Key to note was adaptations to suit the Covid situation and other IDOs. I also learnt that coordination and collaboration is key in ensuring that child protection is mainstreamed into other sectors. The ecological model made me realize how closer all the circles are key in...
-
It is always important to have response plans as well as having measures place by the Government. This will greatly assist in giving guidance to organizations engaging in protecting children and their families. The family, as an institution should also be fully involved in protecting children. Child participation is key and as such children with disabilities...
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Cross sectoral coordination has been the order of the day as everyone involved tries to make sure children and their families are protected as well as staff.
We have coordinated with Health, Nutrition and WASH clusters.
Coordination and collaboration has helped a lot as children and families have been able to access basic services unlike situations where...
-
Children are exposed to more risks during pandemics and in the case of Covid 19, access was restricted and schools and other services were closed. Children became idle and as result started engaging in unbecoming behaviors that included thefts, early pregnancies, school dropouts and forced marriages, due to poverty as the family was not able to work and...
-
It is always important to mainstream child protection into other sectors during Covid 19. Collaboration is key and provides a smooth flow in terms of the referral pathway. It also ensures provision of comprehensive case management in response to children and their caregivers. This includes Protection actors, working with Health and other actors.
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
It is always important to coordinate and collaborate with other partners and stakeholders towards the fight against Covid 19 or other infectious diseases. The various sectors have to be mainstreamed so that communities access most, if not all basic services at a go. The technical note on protection of children during corona virus pandemic really helped me...
-
In the discussion above videos and Zoom meetings were used for capacity building. In South Sudan, we usually use Zoom and Skype. I appreciate the methods used to capacity building initiatives used to adapt to the Covid 19 situation. It is always important to adjust so that capacity building needs of frontline workers, youth, and caregivers are addressed.
-
We have shifted from face to face to group skype and microsoft teams.
Both have been working well, despite challenges of internet which is not stable in South Sudan. Some prefer skype while some prefer Microsoft teams.
-
Thanks Achieng, following up.
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Realized that for social workers to be able to meet the needs of children, their welfare and well being should be taken into consideration as well as making sure their capacities are strengthened.
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
The role of partners is well outlined and places the community at the centre of all interventions and making sure that the Complaints and Feedback Mechanisms do actually takes into account the views, rights and dignity of the communities. This will allow partners provide quality, effective and efficient service to communities.
-
How can local partnerships enhance the protection and well-being of children during COVID-19 and other IDOs?
Conducting regular online meetings and sharing information on how they are tackling the challenges. It creates an opportunity of sharing best practices.Key challenges can be the issue of non availability or limited network for communication through...
-
International organizations should be there to compliment the efforts of local partners as they are key and remain on ground even after the exit of INGOs. There should be a lasting relationship and involvement of the communities so that they have a sense of ownership. This will help in increasing their participation.
-
Commendable work done by PACE. I really like the involvement of the key contacts. What I don't seem to see here is the duration this survey would take considering the small number of enumerators. I am sure they could also have tried the use of online data collection techniques and also training the communities instead of waiting for restrictions to be...
-
Safety and security measures remain key during data collection. Yes, trying to collect data but also making sure we minimize face to face interactions and collect essential and critical data.
-
We should make sure that children participate in the whole process of the program. When evaluating programs, we need to make sure that we get feedback from children as well as their parents.
I would suggest that workers are well trained on the tools and also make sure communities are involved in the evaluation and monitoring exercise.
-
Thanks for highlighting the challenges and coming up with key considerations. What I see coming up here is ensuring that both case workers and the community need to be involved and aware about what they are supposed to do. Very useful tools for monitoring and evaluation remotely.
-
Its always good to recognize that we can not work in isolation. The ecological framework comes into play.
-
One of the challenges faced in South Sudan during Covid 19 was the issue of the 14days quarantine when you accompanied a child to another State during Family Tracing and Reunification. It had some psychological effects since you had to remain in that location for 14days and if the reunification was in another location where you needed a flight connection, it...
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Thanks for the highlights and recognizing the rise on caseloads and the effects to case workers as well as the exposure they have to diseases as they continue doing their work. Indeed social workers are essential.
-
Looking forward to learn more so that as social workers we feel confident doing our work.
-
The Case Management Task Force distributed phones to Child Protection actors in various field sites to ensure that children and their families are reached through mobile. This has helped in terms of continuity despite the issue of cancellation of movement.
Challenges experienced included poor network to enable case workers to have regular communication...
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Interesting insights on working with communities as well as making sure that Case Management is not disrupted and alternative care supports the well being of children. Looking forward to Week 5.
-
A lot of work has been done on working on the Alternative care guidelines to suit the context of Covid 19.There has been a lot of discussions between organizations and the Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare as well as the Ministry of Health to see how alternative care could be provided, making sure that prevention and protective measures were taken into...
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
It is always key to have Alternative care guidelines to ensure that children do not become more exposed to risks during placements. These should be widely shared and understood.
-
The tip to take away is the need to train staff about the changing context and making sure they adapt to the situation and become confident on how to handle the situation.
Due to restrictions, NGO staff or social workers might not be able to reach communities so there is need to make sure that communities are trained and have the capacity to deal with...
-
Thanks for highlighting that Case Management should not be stopped even during pandemics and also emphasizing the need staff are trained so that they are confident of their work as well as the changing contexts. I also liked the issue of adaptation and remaining in contact with communities.
-
Interesting notes of adapting Case management services during Covid 19.
-
Clear considerations.
-
In addition to responses from other participants, we have also advised the community to report to the doctor/medical staff (toll free and directions provided by the Ministry of Health) in case they experience symptoms or suspect anyone to be having Covid 19, avoiding close contact and an example could be writing a message and leaving a parcel at the door...
-
We have used megaphones to raise awareness where our staff move around at places where the community usually buy or moving around in a vehicle. At times we have used recorded messages on preventive and protective measure of Covid 19. This has been due to our situation, i.e. not technologically advanced and also the issue of limited connectivity.
-
Interesting, happy to hear about the involvement of youths and also the number of girls in attendance as well as community ownership. We usually face challenges on girl attendance. Lots of lessons learnt.
-
Good points on engaging communities in a safer way.
-
Activities before Covid 19 included, conducting trainings and also conducting joint awareness raising sessions on Child Protection and GBV perpetrated against children.
Steps taken to adapt ways included conducting more trainings and coaching sessions and use of microphone or loud speakers to spread messages on child protection.
Introduction of the case...
-
Thanks Achieng for connecting the Weekly activities. So excited to move on to Week 4 and learn more about Community Level Child Protection activities.
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Learnt a lot during Week 3 and again saw the importance of the families and caregivers in protecting children in all circumstances. Looking foward to learn more in Week 4.
-
The COVID‑19 outbreak, further increased the challenges faced by children in detention and increased their vulnerabilities. The detention facilities were over-crowded and this was risky in terms of them being vulnerable to contracting Covid 19 and other transmittable diseases. Children were staying for a long period of time without being tried since courts...
-
i)Families should be supported through emergency cash assistance for them to be able to fend for their children.
ii)The capacities of social workers should be strengthened so that they are able to support children and their families.
iii)Communities and the Government's capacities should be strengthened so that they meet their obligations and... -
Its even more complicated here where the Justice System is not full functional and as a result, these children stay for many years before trial or before being released. This results in congestion in the detention facilities as more child offenders are detained.
-
In terms of Child Friendly Spaces, before Covid, the Centre used to have large number of children of various age groups attending and they would be grouped according to age groups. Now that we are experiencing Covid 19, we have reduced the number of children per session and have also introduced time and weekly schedules. This has worked well as preventive...
-
Interesting point on adaptation. I really liked the emphasis on ensuring that preventive measures were being followed. Sometimes, we lose sight on this. Commendable efforts to Plan International.
-
A very good initiative that still places the family as an important unity in protecting children. Its good to know that parents are happy after it was fully explained to them why they should be involved.
-
It is clear that we have to vary strategies depending on the stage, different actions can be taken at each stage. It is also worth noting that, in all the stages, prevention is key.
-
Inorder to reduce risks to children from online engagement, my organization should make sure that the Safeguarding Policy encompasses protection of children who use online platforms. Staff should be trained and made aware of this. There is also need to ensure that children and their parents/caregivers are aware of the reporting channels in case anything...
-
Thanks for outlining the mitigation measures. Indeed, it should be a collaborative responsibility.
-
Thanks for sharing the video. Interest points coming out and helpful for amending the Safeguarding Policy to suit the Covid 19 context.
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Interesting points. I think its always good to do an orientation to both children and their parents so that they understand the use of online methods. It will also be an opportunity to let parents be aware of the online risks to child safety so that they keep an eye and supervise their children. This involves, not only on what they need to do but ensuring that...
-
Quite a good initiative.
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
I am aware of our organization's child safeguarding policies, including reporting responsibilities and procedures. We have a Safeguarding Advisor who ensures that all staff members receive training and she continuously visits field sites and does refresher trainings. She, in collaboration with the Head of Mission and HR are responsible for ensuring that the...
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Thanks Achieng, ready to learn more about adaptation as it seems challenging especially during Covid 19.
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Very useful topics covered.
-
Although there are many risks faced by all children, in general, I have observed that all children with disabilities, despite which type, face a lot of challenges and are often excluded in many activities and interventions. They rely mainly on assistance provided by family members and communities at large and once they are not accepted, they become more...
-
Very good initiatives to ensure that children all children, including those and without disabilities are supported during Covid 19.
-
It is very clear that children with disabilities face even more risk than other children. This calls for us, as, Child Protection Practitioners to make sure that no child is excluded.
-
thanks@Claire,let me try
-
The situation of young people in South Sudan has been very terrible. They have been left idle and some have resorted to joining gang groups while some roam around the camp and mock the girls when they see them. However, our organization has been engaging youth in what we call Youth Protection teams, who at the moment are raising awareness on Covid 19. The team...
-
Very inspiring indeed. This is creativity at its best. Great evidence on what youths can do to help communities prevent Covid 19. I also admired the issue of having awareness raising sessions and the commitment of the young men and the support by the family.
-
Great tools shared here. Inspired by the different methods of interacting with children. Its good to note that some of these can be used in South Sudan where access to internet is an issue to many children as well as having a mobile phone or computer. I implore the issue of face to face or use or social workers and of course abiding by the Covid measures.
-
The video shared useful insights on ensuring that children participate in programs. This has been indeed challenging in South Sudan where majority of people feel that parents have to always make decisions on behalf of their children. We have however also noted that children participate more when they notice the presence of their peers and their sisters and...
-
Hie Claire. I am having difficulties entering information on the Socio ecological Model template after downloading it. Can you please guide me. Thanks
-
Lack of parental care due to death of parents or admission due to Covid 19 and idleness of children are risky factors during Covid 19. Protective factors could be ensuring that alternative care and family supports are strengthened as well as mapping Child Protection Community Based Networks. Involving youth in livelihoods projects or radio programs on issues...
-
True indeed David, children witness a lot in their lives as they usually rely mostly on the family for provision of basic services. This, being said, once the family is poor, then ,we see a lot of risks and challenges ie, as quoted above, inability to have access to internet. Very sad indeed.
-
Risk Factors
1. Inability for children to access Child Friendly spaces as a result of the pandemic that results in children staying at home .
2.Idleness that leads to disagreements between children and sometimes with their parents in the home.Protective Factors
1.Availability of humanitarian agencies engaged in Child Protection, though at a low... -
Very informative session that informs that the family is an important institutions in the life of children as it offers protection and play a key role in terms of child development. It was also clear that the family has to be supported inorder to cope with the demands during the period of the pandemic. I also learnt that risks and protective factors vary...
-
Risks include the, autistic spectrum, disability, depressed mother, living in an IDP Camp, overcrowding, anticipated exposure of his father as he goes to work, availability of one phone for the whole family, the size of the device screen, the lockdown itself, lack of understanding by the community about his disability.
Protective factors include, the...
-
From the videos, there is substantial evidence that children really face a lot of challenges during the pandemics. It is so disheartening to see that girls are more exposed as they have more responsibilities at home, though they are left out in some societies when it comes to education. However, it should be noted that boys also face challenges.
-
Hope to learn more about centrality of the child and how exactly we can ensure that he is fully protected. Thanks Achieng for introducing the Week 2 topics.
-
The child's age should also be considered when considering the best interest of the child. Parents and caregivers also play and important role.
-
As a staff working with Unaccompanied and Separated Children, I participated in Child Protection Sub Cluster meeting inorder to discuss and develop guidelines on how to handle cases of Family Tracing and Reunification during Covid. It was agreed at the beginning that all FTR cases would be on hold to ensure that children and accompanying staff were not exposed...
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
I learnt a lot about the Guiding Principles and that they should be applied in all stages. I am sure it will help me as I help in responding to the needs of the children during Covid or IDOs.
-
While I agree with you that the voice of the child should be heard and that's ensuring the best interest of the child principle is fulfilled, I have reservations when it comes to the issue of a child 's best wishes being violated when the act/step taken saves his life or is beneficial to his well being. Just my thoughts.
-
At the individual level? Encouraging children to abide by the preventive measures, which include washing their hands ,staying at home, maintaining social distance. Having indoor games at household levels and as well as shifting from Child Friendly Space activities to individualized family games is also help children feel at home and help them become more...
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Thanks Grace, great introduction.
-
South Sudan is still in stage 2 of the cycle in my own opinion, where Covid 19 still exists, though it is very difficult to have statics. There was a lockdown in the first phase and measures were put in place, with schools being closed for 14months and humanitarian organizations embarking on a massive awareness raising campaign spearheaded by UNICEF and the...
-
It is worth noting that although there are two groups of infectious diseases, they are both fatal and there is need to ensure that preventive and protective methods are in place and are taken into account. It is also evident that anyone can be a victim of these diseases, be it a child or adult. Sad, as it looks, as practioners, we continue to come into contact...
-
@AlisonStevens very good point.
-
Very useful content though we are facing challenges in the communities we work in as we try and ensure that a collaborative and coordinated approach to protect children during this Covid era in used. Whilst we all seem to see the deadliness of this disease, some people do not take heed on the preventive measures. Thanks for simplifying things and making us...
-
Kudzanai Mativirira replied to Kudzanai Mativirira
@ROSEMARIESUAREZ Thanks Rose
-
Kudzanai Mativirira made a comment
Hello everyone.My name is Kudzanai Mativirira,working for Nonviolent Peaceforce in South Sudan as a Programne Manager. I am excited to be part of this course since I am involved in providing technical guidance on working with communities affected by conflict in general and providing CP interventions, in particular.I am also a holder of a Post Grad Diploma in...