Learning from Child Protection Systems Mapping and Analysis in West Africa: Research and Policy Implications
| Author | Alexander Krueger,Guy Thompstone,Vimala Crispin |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.12047 |
| Date | 01 February 2014 |
| Published date | 01 February 2014 |
Learning from Child Protection Systems
Mapping and Analysis in West Africa:
Research and Policy Implications
Alexander Krueger, Guy Thompstone and Vimala Crispin
Child Frontiers Ltd.
Abstract
This article presents the findings of a research process undertaken by Child Frontiers to map and assess the child pro-
tection systems of five West African countries. It highlights that the primary obstacle to the effective functioning of
these systems is the lack of congruence between formal strategies, actual state capabilities and resources, and commu-
nity values and priorities. The findings are discussed within the context of the emerging global debate about child pro-
tection systems. The conclusions demonstrate that policy makers at national, regional and international levels should
look beyond transplanting external models to the West African context, but rather adopt long-term processes to design
systems that are culturally appropriate and operational within the boundaries of available and planned resources. Policy
makers at all levels should avoid the temptation of ‘quick fixes’but, in building and reforming child protection systems
in West Africa and beyond, endeavour to promote sustained, government-led processes that redefine the core princi-
ples and foundations of the system. The outcome will be that child protection systems function in an optimal way for
children and families.
Policy Implications
•Recognising international standards for child protection, national policy should guide child and family welfare sys-
tems to reflect their individual socioeconomic, historical and cultural contexts.
•There is no single approach or model to child and family welfare systems. To be relevant to communities, systems
must be congruent with community needs, expectations and cultural norms.
•The functioning of complex child and family welfare systems in low-resource countries is compromised by the
unrealistic allocation of financial and human capacity.
•A balanced child and family welfare system is best achieved through consultation and genuine dialogue between
external actors, the state, civil society and communities.
Current debate on child protection systems
The definition of a child protection system in an interna-
tional setting remains problematic. In academic literature
the term tends to refer to a specific typology established to
deal with child welfare and maltreatment, while for many
development agencies the child protection system is
nested primarily (but not exclusively) within the broader
sectors of social welfare, education, health, security and jus-
tice. This article addresses child protection in the context of
the child and family welfare system.
2
This refers to those
approaches within both communities and the state-admin-
istered social welfare system that promote children’s well-
being and protection while enhancing the capacity of
families and communities to fulfil their care responsibilities.
New approaches to studying and analysing national
child and family welfare systems have emerged in recent
years. Academics have begun to critically examine
national child and family welfare systems by investigat-
ing the underlying societal values that have informed the
long-term development of these systems. The compari-
son of different national systems has encouraged policy
makers to think beyond the boundaries of their own
national child and family welfare system and imagine
other possibilities. This has resulted in increased
recognition of the inherent balances and tensions within
national systems to support families and ensure individ-
ual children are protected from violence and abuse
(Cooper et al., 1997; O’Hara, 1998; Gilbert et al., 2011).
Furthermore, child wellbeing, child protection and fam-
ily welfare are conceptualised and dealt with in different
ways around the world. A number of studies support this
thinking, including a recent publication on child protec-
tion systems published by Maryland University, as well as
Global Policy (2014) 5:1 doi: 10.1111/1758-5899.12047 ©2013 University of Durham and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global Policy Volume 5 . Issue 1 . February 2014 47
Research Article
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