The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Libe

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Mission: ANPPCAN LIBERIA PROFILE Dear Friends: Greetings from Liberia , I hope this letter meets your good health? My name is Clement o. Stephens Executive Director The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Liberia We are pleased to introduce to you the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Liberia . We write to seek partnership with your organization in carrying out Programs beneficial to children and women in Liberia . Background The African Network for Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Liberia Chapter is a local non-governmental organization that is committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of children in Liberia . ANPPCAN Liberia is part of bigger continental organization–ANPPCAN Africa which was founded in 1986 in Enugu Nigeria at the end of the first African Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. It has chapters in 24 African countries and a Regional Office (headquarters) in Nairobi-Kenya. ANPPCAN Liberia Chapter was founded in the late 2001 and is legally registered in Liberia as a national Non-Governmental and Non-Profit Organization. Our mission is to enhance children and women rights protection through building capacities of the local communities to protect their own children and women. ANPPCAN - Liberia is addressing issues of children and women abuse, exploitation and neglect, which have been escalated by the civil conflict of the last 14 years. We believe in learning from our past experiences and sharing best practices through providing platforms for information sharing such as through staff exchange programs and enhancing network between institutions that protect women and children such as the ANPPCAN network. ANPPCAN Liberia is currently participating in the south-south staff exchange program with support from Fredskorpset Norway . We also advocate for women and children rights protection through the media and carrying out sensitization programs. Our Principles: Full Participation of all children and women Empowerment of Children and children via education and training Adherence to children and women rights Protection of women and Children Fair Play Justice Economic, political and social pluralism Virtues of Democracy All Children and women having equal rights/Access Best interest of the child Education for all Objectives: Protect Children and women against abuse and neglect Lobby for national and international protocols/laws that enhance the welfare of children/women Provide legal and counselling services for abused children and women Carry out a situational analysis on issues affecting women and children Create a medium for the exchange of information on issues affecting children. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE ANPPCAN Liberia has a Board of seven members, four of whom are female. The Board meets quarterly to plan and review the organization’s programs. Decisions from the Board are passed over to the National Secretariat, which runs the day-to-day operations of the organization. ANPPCAN being democratized is a membership organization open to all. ANPPCAN does have a reservoir of qualified and dedicated staff and volunteers with multiple experiences in child rights protection; child/woman rights advocacy and community mobilization, educational programs and management. As a grassroots non-for profit organization, it enjoys the massive support of the community, which adds an impetus in its effective reawakening social mobilization campaigns in stimulating positive change in creating a child friendly environment that sustains the maximization of the full potentials of children. Being a grass root organization, volunteers from the communities contribute immensely towards the actualization of ANPPCAN Liberia’s activities by being involved in the planning, implementing and evaluation stages being mindful that in the end, the communities take full ownership of the project through benefits sustainability. Since Inception, ANPPCAN-Liberia has worked to develop and maintain well-established linkages with local, regional and international partners for successful implementation of its programmes. ANPPCAN-Liberia has been engaged in a number of innovative Child related Programmes, Projects and Activities focusing in the Areas of; Advocacy, Child empowerment, Research and information, case work and Capacity Building . OUR PROGRAMS: ANPPCAN Liberia activities include; 1.Advocacy for children and women rights protection through the media and the children rights clubs: •Media Advocacy: ANPPCAN Liberia has been active in advocating for child rights and child protection through both the electronic and print media where press release and special documentaries have been covered which highlight the plight of abused children and proposed best practices from ANPPCAN in child protection. •Child Participation: ANPPCAN Liberia believes that the children are best placed to advocate for their own rights. As such child participation through ANPPCAN Liberia Child Rights Clubs in school and communities is a strong component of our advocacy program. The child rights clubs are active in about 60 schools and 45 communities in Monrovia . 2. Advocacy in policy and legislation matters: • Ratification Campaigns: ANPPCAN Liberia was instrumental in the process that led to the ratification of ILO Convention 182 by the Government of Liberia in 2002. We are currently working closely with the Ministry of Labour towards the Ratification of ILO Convention 138, and domestication of the ILO Convention 182 & United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child. ANPPCAN Liberia is also working on popularizing the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and its eventual ratification by the Government of Liberia. 3.Team building and training of professionals and community leaders •Community Organizing ANPPCAN Liberia has a Community Organizing and Training component. This is justified by need for community organizing and participatory approach in determining its needs at this reintegration phase after the war. •Training ANPPCAN sees the training of service providers as very crucial in protecting the rights of children and women in Liberia . In this regards, the police, community leaders and some teachers have been trained to enable them protect the rights of children and women. 4.Advocacy and implementation of programs against child labour: ANPPCAN Liberia is one of the members of the National Commission on Child Labour Monitoring and Management launched on 27th May 2004. Through the media advocacy and playing an advisory role in the National Commission for Monitoring and Management of Child Labour, issues of child soldiers have been handled. Through our participation in the disarmament process, ANPPCAN Liberia is played an advisory a role in the care of the ex-child soldiers in the Interim Care Centres (ICC) and the rehabilitation and reintegration programs. The Development of action programs against child labour is in the process. 5. Women Friendly Policing Project: This project works with police, immigration, custom officers and prison guards in strengthening their capacity to protect women in conflict with the law or needing protection against perpetrators. The concept of women friendly policing brings women and security officers together in discussing critical points that would enable the security to better protect women against violence. The security is strengthened in reporting and filing SGBV cases and other violence against women. They are also trained in interviewing, reporting and follow up techniques. Their stations are also equipped to make them more women friendly that would encourage more women and girls to report cases to them. 6. Awareness Raising on the anti Rape and Inheritance Laws of Liberia: The project targets traditional women and girls on the new anti Rape Law and Inheritance Law of Liberia so that they would have the necessary information in protecting themselves. The Rape Law has strong penalties against violators, but many women have been victimized due to the lack of information. The project facilitates community mobilization, dialogue in explaining the law so that women and girls would take recourse. The Inheritance Law of Liberia gives women who marry customarily the right to inherit property when there is a divorce or death. Awareness raising is also being carried out thus enabling women and girls to claim their rights. 7. Support for HIV/AIDS affected Households: The project provides direct support for HIV/AIDS victims by providing them the necessary information and life skills that would enable them to live longer. Awareness raising is carried out for these women and others on how to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS. Currently in pipeline, ANPPCAN Liberia seeks to undertake a community mobilization program towards initiating community structures that support children orphaned through HIV/AIDS related deaths of parents 8.Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Schools and Communities Project: The project raises awareness on the danger of SEA in schools and communities. It trains women and girls in identifying, monitoring and reporting SEA cases at all levels. Structures are strengthened at the school and community levels that would respond promptly to SEA cases in curtailing violations. Community leaders and school workers are also targeted to play pivotal roles in addressing the menace. Planned Programs 1. Seeking partnership to develop kinship care or foster care project in Liberia 2. Women Participation Project: The project facilitates women to serve as leaders in their communities and carry out activities which are meaningful to their development. The peers serve as catalysts for social change for other women in the communities and many women are beginning to take leadership roles. 3. Children and Health ANPPCAN Liberia plans to initiate programs that target the research and awareness creation on the sexual reproductive health of adolescents. Other community based health education, water and sanitation programs are also in plan to enhance child survival especially in this period when communities are making a come back. 4. Child Labour, Domestic violence and Trafficking Program: The program raises awareness among stakeholders on the danger of child labour and advocates for the enactment of policies that would address the menace which poses to the survival and development of the children. It also trains labour inspectors and other stakeholders to monitor child labour violations. It further withdraws children who are involved in the worst forms of child labour from the industry and provides an alternative through formal education and skill training. 5. I CT and Child Participation Program: This program will build the self esteem in children to effectively discuss issues that affect their lives through the ICT Program in schools and child rights clubs. They learn about their rights and responsibilities which enable them to claim them accordingly. Through the concept, they learn about self development, public speaking, advocacy, lobbying, and writing and participate in debate and children media. Not only is their intellectual capacity being enhanced, but they also plan their own activities that would promote their well being, growing up as responsible citizens who have a meaningful say in the national development agenda as their hidden talents are exposed at a very early stage. Many invisible children who are denied the right to play and to be heard are provided opportunity through the program to articulate their views fearlessly. 6. Governance and Rule of Law The aim of the project is to create the most needed opportunity for the governed to whole their governors or government officials accountable. To do so, the project will seek to provide capacity building for community members on their rights and entitlements as far as governance is concerned. For example training on the national budget, powers and duties of various government officials, focussed group discussions between the community members and government officials on issues such as the County Development Fund, the process of legislation among others especially in the grass root areas. The project also seeks to raise the communities awareness on the respect for laws and regulations and to promote the rule of law. In this way it is hoped that the respect for human rights by all persons will be enhanced and this is important in achieving our goal of promoting respect for children and women's rights. 7. Food Security Food security is important for child rights because it provides parents hopes and prepares them to provide food for themselves and their children. To this end, we aim at assisting community members to farm a variety of food crops and livestock to ensure availability of balanced diets for themselves and their children. For example we aim at assisting them start and develop cattle rearing which is at the moment not widespread in the country. This will provide easy access to meat and dairy products that are presently very expensive and out of reach of the ordinary citizen. 8. Micro Finance program: Under development 9. Research and Documentation ANPPCAN Liberia is planning to set up an active Child Abuse Reporting desk and Monitoring Unit. ANPPCAN Liberia has also proposed a Situational Analysis for children with disability and a Survey on Child Labour. ANPPCAN Liberia is also playing a key role in the task forces on Street Children and Child Protection. ANPPCAN LIBERIA POTENTIALS Over the years ANPPCAN Liberia has developed well-established linkages with local, regional and international partners. ANPPCAN Liberia is already undertaking innovative child related programs, which have potential for replication in other communities. ANPPCAN Liberia has competent human resource persons who run and manage various programs. ANPPCAN Liberia has an existing office with the necessary operational infrastructure. ANPPCAN Liberia has a network capability to reach out to other African countries through its 24 Chapters and share best practices with potential for replication. ANPPCAN Liberia is well entrenched at the grass root level which enables it to work effectively with the communities. We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Best regards. Clement O. Stephens Executive Director ANPPCAN Liberia Broad/Johnson Street Monrovia, Liberia. Tel: +231-6-592905 / + 231-6-678679 Email: anppcan.liberia@yahoo.com Anppcanliberia.org

Community Stories

3 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

Urbancolorsinternational Donor

Rating: 5

09/06/2023

Working with The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) has been an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience. Our partnership with ANPPCAN reflects a shared commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families in need, and it has truly been an honor to be part of this endeavor.

ANPPCAN's dedication to preventing and protecting children from abuse and neglect is nothing short of commendable. Their tireless efforts in advocating for the rights and well-being of children across Africa are both inspiring and impactful. It's evident that ANPPCAN is deeply committed to their mission and is making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and communities.

Collaborating with ANPPCAN has allowed us to contribute our goods and services towards a common goal: bettering humanity by serving others. This partnership has provided a sense of purpose and meaning to our work, knowing that our contributions are directly supporting ANPPCAN's vital programs and initiatives. The organization's transparency and accountability in utilizing the resources we provide are truly impressive, ensuring that every effort and donation goes towards making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

Furthermore, ANPPCAN's commitment to collaboration and community engagement is exemplary. They have fostered a sense of unity and shared responsibility among all stakeholders, which has strengthened our collective impact on child protection and welfare.

In summary, working with The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) has been an exceptional experience. Their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and the positive impact they make on the lives of children and families in Africa are truly remarkable. We are proud to be part of their mission, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the common interest of bettering humanity through service to others.

joycerg Volunteer

Rating: 5

02/15/2014

Being a survivor of abuse myself I want to be a part of getting the story out, if a child tells you they are being abused please believe the child. No one believed my story in my family because back then you didn't talk about what went on in the house. I was abused sexually, mentally, and physically and as an adult it still affects the way I interact with others. Trust level very low, and everyone around me will abuse a child and get away with it. What I want to do is do the girls hair, (to make them feel beautiful) spend a day with a child just having fun so they don't have to even think about the hard life adults put on them. I really want to be a part of healing out children of the future.

1

Osuagwu Volunteer

Rating: 3

04/23/2013

ANPPCAN’s Profile 2002 – 2012
ANPPCAN is a national Ngo registered with the Government of Liberia. It has a women program which runs innovative programs pressing for positive change in promoting the rights of minorities especially girls and women. Since coming into being, ANPPCAN Women Program has remained a steady voice in the bastion of women rights promotion, and firmly visible in filling the gaps by turning challenges into opportunities in championing their wishes and aspirations.
Between 2004 – 2005, ANPPCAN provided training for police recruits from the first 15 classes of the new Liberian Police on issues surrounding child and women protection and prevention of sexual violence with support from UNICEF. With support from UNIFEM, in 2006, ANPPCAN conducted training for police officers and community leaders on the Rape and Inheritance Laws in 18 communities in Montserrado and Margibi Counties and further sensitized on protecting women and girls against SGBV. From 2007 – 2008, in n addressing sexual exploitation and abuse in schools, ANPPCAN provided sensitization training for students, teachers, children’s clubs and community members in preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse at the school and community levels in Montserrado County. In tackling sexual violence outside Monrovia, ANPPCAN carried out sensitization aimed at strengthening the capacity of women and children in protecting themselves against sexual violence in rural Montserrado and Margibi Counties with support from the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund Inc. (VGIF). Major activities of the project included community sensitization, dialogue, training, monitoring, reporting and documentation.
In 2007, ANPPCAN with support from the United States Embassy Ambassador’s Fund implemented a Farming Project on Cassava production for single mothers in rural Montserrado.
From 2008 – 2009, with support from UNIFEM, ANPPCAN initiated the Women Friendly Policing Program in Grand Gedeh and Nimba Counties. The followings were achieved as the result of the intervention.
• Mobilized and sensitized internal security officers on the concept of women friendly policing in Grand Gedeh and Nimba Counties.
• Facilitated monthly dialogue between internal security and communities in identifying perceptions and mooting up strategies in altering the perceptions into women friendly practices.
• Developed training module and conducted training for internal security on women friendly policing to enable internal security to be effective in protecting women against SGBV.
• Developed training module and conducted training for community members on protecting women against SGBV. Women, traditional, religious and community leaders were targeted.
• Developed and distributed IEC materials with simple and easy to read messages in encouraging women to report SGBV cases to the internal security and as the same encouraging internal security to adhere to professional ethics in protecting women against SGBV. Messages were carefully tailored to enhance knowledge attitudes and practices on preventing SGBV.
• Developed Resource Handbook for internal security officers with basic tips on enhancing their work on women friendly policing.
• Increased SGBV reporting as the result of sensitization of communities and training of internal security officers.
• Enhanced skills and capacity of internal security officers in Grand Gedeh and Nimba in women friendly policing and protecting women against SGBV. This has now made internal security especially police paying special attention to women cases, unlike prior to our intervention.
• Increased women participation in community policing and providing them opportunity to voice their views on violence against them.
• Successfully carried out radio and newspaper campaign on women friendly practices targeting various audiences in protecting women against violence. This was done through jingles, radio talk shows and interviews.
• Heightened advocacy against stereotype and perception exacerbating SGBV.
• Involvement of traditional, religious and community leaders in women friendly policing and SGBV Prevention in Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties.
• Increased men’s awareness and involvement on SGBV prevention and response and women friendly policing in Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties.
• Facilitated women and girls to have access to police in protecting them against SGBV.
• Rescued at least a woman along with her baby that was trafficked to Loquatuo. Reunited her with biological parents in Monrovia. Trafficked lady was serving as a sex worker at this bordering town.
• Communities protecting women and girls against violations and respect for their rights
• Women and girls able to identify, report and monitor SGBV issues and protecting themselves against HIV/AIDS
• Women claiming their rights as it relates to SGBV
• Communities and police structures strengthened in protecting women against SGBV
• Responses are available to survivors
• 200 police, custom and immigration, correctional officers trained in women friendly policing
• Police stations in project’s communities capacitated in women friendly policing through the provision of 10 motor bikes and stationeries to the women and child protection units in 10 project’s communities in the 2 counties
• Resource Handbook on Women Friendly Police produced
• Practices and attitudes of police, custom and immigration officers, and stations in creating women friendly policing
• Communities working with Ministry of Gender and Development County Coordinators, and Local Government structures on SGBV issues
• 200 women and girls are mentored in identifying, reporting SEA

From 2010 – 2011, with the support of UN Women continued the Women Friendly Policing Project in Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu (Yomo Town, Gokallah Town, Gbangay and Nyemah Town). The followings were achieved as the result of the intervention.
o 10 communities in Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu were mobilized and sensitized against Gender Based Violence through role plays, dramas and cultural performances
o Initiated and increased community dialogue forum between internal security and communities in 8 communities in discussing GBV and finding means of prevention and response
o Capacity of 68 internal security officers were enhanced on GBV and the concept of women friendly policing to enable them to protect more women and girls against SGBV
o Mobilized and enhanced the capacity of 282 peer educators; 191 women and 91 men influencing protection against SGBV in 10 communities in Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu Counties
o Conducted baseline study to establish ongoing initiatives in the GBV sector in project’s communities
o Mentored women flag bearers in being proactive in taking up their own initiatives through the establishment of women groups against GBV
o Eased the communication barrier between police and community by providing cell phones to police units, women and community leaders in following up cases
o Information on the available referral pathway disseminated in communities where it is existing and recommendations advanced in areas where it is not in existence
ANPPCAN is presently implementing the Girl Power Program in Liberia. The program provides equal opportunities and rights for girls and young women in Grand Cape Mount and Montserrado County with the support of the Dutch Foreign Ministry. Through the intervention, 400 girls and young women are being protected against violence, provided life skills and leadership training to participate in decision making processes. The project also 200 targets traditional leaders as partners in challenging harmful practices which violate the rights of girls and young women. 300 school teachers are provided gender sensitive skills in attracting more girls to school.
At the moment, with the support of UN Women, ANPPCAN is conducting the Economic Empowerment Program in Bowein Community, Bomi County. Through the program, the followings are being achieved.
• 40 vulnerable women access capital to expand their businesses and increase their financial independence;
• 40 vulnerable women gain basic literacy skills;
• 40 vulnerable women are aware of appropriate response to SGBV and learn techniques for preventing SGBV in their communities;
• Rural Women in Bomi County have access to a women’s center for future literacy and economic empowerment programs;
• Community members have increased awareness on the prevention and response to SGBV through community events and local media;
• 20 male and youth leaders engaged to support the project and increase efforts to prevent SGBV.
ANPPCAN has a lot of experience at local, national and regional levels in creating and strengthening the capacities of local level structures to address issues of women and directly supporting vulnerable women.


ANPPCAN Gender Program Staff
ANPPCAN Women Program Unit is staffed by a team of professional and dedicated members who are well trained and experienced in gender issues and can deliver in time. This team is led by a trained and experienced program manager in addition to other training and work experience just completed a four month professional exchange program on women’s issues at the Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence in San Jose, CA as a fellow of the United States Department of Educational and Cultural Affairs through IREX from August – December, 2012 and a three week course in May 2012 on Women, Peace & Security on UN Resolution 1325 in Stockholm, Sweden with the support of Indevelope, Kvinna til Kvinna & SIDA. The four other professional staff members have over five years of experience working on gender issues in Liberia and bags several certificates on gender and women’s issues.

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