Lakana – Mali’s Girls and Boys Better Protected Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

This project aims to support government services and civil society actors involved in the defense of children's rights specifically targeting the prevention and fight against sexual violence against children especially girls including the care and rehabilitation of victims. Project activities include: (1) implementing effective procedures to prevent and take prompt and appropriate action against child abuse; (2) developing participatory educational and training materials for selected state professional bodies; and (3) supporting schools and training services of state bodies to provide courses on the prevention and fight against sexual and gender-based violence.The beneficiaries are the technical services responsible for the protection of children in particular the services of the Ministry for the Advancement of Women Children and Families the Ministry of Justice the Ministry of Internal Security and Civil Protection the Ministry of Health and Social Development the Ministry of National Education as well as other technical departments and organizations that defend the rights of children especially girls and women.

The expected results of this project include: (1) improved effectiveness of defense and security forces social medical educational and justice services in preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against girls and boys in Mali; (2) improved child-friendly and gender-sensitive practices through services for the prevention treatment and control of SGBV against girls and boys in Mali; and (3) Increased mobilization of children especially girls associations supporting them and community protection networks in the prevention of and action against SGBV against girls and boys in Mali.