Projects in Africa

Children in Africa make up almost half of the population. Over 40 million children in the region do not go to school. Abuse and neglect in the home, work place, schools, at police detention centres and in their communities are widespread. Physical punishment is seen as necessary for disciplining both girls and boys.

The phenomena of street children, child labour, sexual abuse, early marriage, child motherhood, child abandonment, cross-border and internal trafficking of girls are widespread in the region. In Kenya an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 children have been caught up in the commercial sex trade. In Ethiopia 95% of girls living on the street of Addis Ababa have been sexually exploited.

Inter-tribal/clan violence in East Africa has resulted in child deaths, injuries and displacement. The aftermath of prolonged civil war in Sierra Leone left separated and orphaned children at high risk of abuse. Many children were and continue to be recruited into regional conflicts as child soldiers or to provide services to soldiers – as couriers, look-outs, servants or, in the case of girls, as ‘wives’.

Children and young people are at greatest risk of HIV which in turn makes them vulnerable to violence. It is estimated that 1.8 million Ugandans are HIV-positive, with the rate of infection growing at an alarming rate, particularly amongst young people in rural areas. South Africa has the highest number of children orphaned by AIDS.

Africa has outstanding civil society organisations and those working with children are among the most committed.

Examples of our work

Ethiopia: Preventing HIV and AIDS and sexual abuse and exploitation of girls in Addis Ababa, transit towns and rural areas of Amhara District, more information
Partner organisation: Children-Aid Ethiopia (CHAD-ET)

Kenya: Defending the rights of disadvantaged street girls, their families and communities, more information
Partner organisation: Pendekezo Letu

Sierra Leone: Reintegrating street boys and girl-mothers into society after the civil war and improving opportunities for education and training, and tackling poverty, more information
Partner organisation: Help a Needy Child (HANC)

South Africa: Improving access to health, housing and welfare rights of children and families affected by HIV and AIDS, more information
Partner organisations: Children in Distress Network (CINDI)
The Child and Family Welfare Society of Pietermaritzburg (PCW)
Lawyers For Human Rights (LHR)
Built Environment Support Group (BESG)

Tanzania: Strengthening communities to look after vulnerable children, prevent forced migration and reconcile street children with their families, more information
Partner organisation: Mkombozi

Uganda: Preventing HIV and AIDS amongst the most disadvantaged children and young people in rural and slum communities, more information
Partner organisations: Uganda Youth Anti AIDS Association (UYAAS) and Uganda Reproductive Health Bureau (URHB)