Strengthening Community Protection Systems for Children and Youth in Kinshasa

The project aims to improve the well-being of children and youth in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through the prevention of violence against children and youth and the improvement of services for street children and at-risk families in five communes in Kinshasa. To do so the project supports outreach activities and programs that focus on improving services offered at protection and health centres taking into account the particular needs of girls and boys. The project also seeks to improve key public policies for child protection and strengthen respect of their rights. The project uses mechanisms such as inclusive consultation committees to allow children and youth to actively participate in and influence the decisions that affect them and the type of services available to them.

The expected outcomes for this project include : (1) local institutions are more effective at preventing violence and protecting children and youth taking into account gender-based differences; (2) families and communities adopt gender-equitable practices that better respect the rights of children and youth; and (3) increased participation of children and youth in gender-specific and equitable violence prevention and protection activities and services.