Advocates Actors for Rights Justice
about Defence for Children International Sierra Leone (DCI-SL) is a local, grassroots non-governmental organisation that was founded in 1998 to promote and protect the human rights of children in Sierra Leone. We are the Sierra Leonean chapter of the worldwide movement of Defence for Children International and the representative of ECPAT International in Sierra Leone. Over the years, we have become the go-to organisation on Justice for Children. Through our work in Western Area, Moyamba, Bo, Kenema, Bombali and Koinadugu districts, but also at regional and international level, we also implement programmes to end gender-based violence and promote the economic inclusion of girls and young women, ensure access to quality education, combat child trafficking and improve protection for children on the move, and enhance youth activism. mission Our main thrust is to respond to the specific needs of children, particularly those in vulnerable situations, and contribute to the continuous strengthening of the national child protection and welfare system in Sierra Leone.
our approach + strategies Our interventions are tailor-made and based on a holistic approach that stimulates comprehensive and complementary strategies both to respond to immediate needs and to bring innovative, sustainable solutions at all levels. ensuring driving justice for children We monitor, identify and respond to rights violations by providing socio-legal services, such as legal information, aid and representation, psychosocial counselling, mediation, and family tracing and reunification, to children in contact and in conflict with the law. In addition, we partner with other service providers to ensure appropriate referrals and to respond to emergency situations. policy + practice change We lead evidence-based advocacy initiatives and engage with decision-makers at national, regional and international level to ensure that relevant laws and policies are adopted and/or revised and effectively implemented. Thanks to our continuous engagement with international and regional human rights mechanisms, we are able to monitor but also contribute to the Sierra Leonean government s compliance with key international and regional standards. Simultaneously, we work with children, communities and other key stakeholders at all levels to tackle the root causes of discrimination, vulnerability and exclusion, and entrench sustainable practice changes within the Sierra Leonean society. sharing building grooming technical expertise We share our technical expertise and train civil society organisations, government officials, and other key actors to strengthen their capacities and enable efficient, coherent and quality multi-sectorial interventions for children. synergies + partnerships Through effective membership within key networks and collaboration with strategic partners, we are able to advance our multi-level advocacy goals and improve responses for children, including in emergency situations. We possess Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and Observer Status with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of Children, and are the founder of Child Rights Coalition Sierra Leone. the new generation We relentlessly strive to enable children and young people to speak up for their rights and become active agents in the sustainable development of Sierra Leone, through the implementation of key education and empowerment programmes, and the establishment and/or support to numerous child and youth-led initiatives.
our programmes Throughout our programmes, we ensure that our contributions lead to sustainable changes, both at policy and practice level. justice for children Through our child justice programme, we actively monitor child rights violations and provide direct socio-legal services to respond to the specific needs of over 1,200 children in conflict with the law, child survivors of abuse, violence and exploitation, and other children in contact with the law every year.! Thanks to our interventions in 2016, 95% of the children in conflict with the law that we assisted were either acquitted, discharged or received a non-custodial sentence. In addition, we relentlessly contribute to the strengthening of the legal framework and overall national child protection and welfare system in Sierra Leone. We have played an instrumental role in the drafting and adoption of the Child Rights Act of 2007, the Sexual Offences Act of 2011, the National Child Justice Policy 2014-18, among others, and stand as the go-to organisation for technical expertise and experience on justice for children. children on the move and trafficking Since 2013, we drive a sub-regional initiative to fight child trafficking and enhance protection for vulnerable children on the move within the Mano River Union (MRU). In 2016-17, we trained over 130 frontline security officials, community members and other key stakeholders and stimulated effective collaboration through the operationalisation of Standard Operating Procedures in border areas between Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Through effective engagement with the MRU secretariat, we have sparked the drafting of a sub-regional policy for the protection of vulnerable children on the move. At national level, we are key member of the National Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons, and directly intervene on cases of trafficking through our child justice activities.
defence for girls Since 2011, we have stepped up our efforts and taken a leading role to fight sexual abuse, female genital mutilation, child marriage and other forms of gender-based violence, and empower girls and young women in Sierra Leone to speak up for their rights. Girls Groups have been established in over 20 communities and chiefdoms, enabling hundreds of girls and young women to advocate for their rights. One group, Hope Girl Sierra Leone, even became a registered NGO that is now one of our key partner. We also partner with communities, schools, private companies and other key stakeholders to improve reporting, accountability and response mechanisms to eliminate incidences of gender-based violence in all settings. At policy level, we advocate for the effective implementation of laws and policies, and are currently engaging in the law reform process to fully prohibit child marriage in Sierra Leone. We also strive to improve post-primary educational outcomes and opportunities for girls and young women, and gradually engage with the private sector to increase their economic inclusion. quality education In Bombali and Kenema districts, we strive to increase the quality of education in 10 rural community junior secondary schools to improve the learning and outcomes and educational opportunities of more than 2,400 students. Within this programme, we train teachers on innovative teaching methods and practices and secure their commitment to offer 2 hours of extra lessons in Mathematics and English language and conduct group study sessions. Our holistic approach also strengthens guidance and protection mechanisms within schools to ensure safe learning environments for children and initiates community mobilisation to support children s educational needs.! In 2016-17, safe and quality learning environments drastically reduced school drop-outs and increased students success rate at the Basic Education Certificate Examination by 25%. youth activism No one knows the problems that youths face better than youths themselves. They have the knowledge and energy to identify and solve their problems but they often lack the proper means and support. Hence, we inspire and support youths to mobilize, express their concerns and engage government, community leaders and development partners (NGOs and UN agencies) to gear their efforts towards effectively addressing the problems. Through our support, many youths have formed advocacy organizations in their schools and communities, and at national level, such as Children s Forum Network, Children and Youth Advocacy Board, Hope Girls, and Violence Against Children s Network.
we believe anything is possible do you? Thanks to the dedication of our staff and volunteers, the engagement of children, parents, families, communities, and many other actors, and our generous supporters, we have put the promotion and the protection of the human rights of the children of Sierra Leone on the right track. our contributions to the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development help us go the extra mile! There are many ways for you to help us make immediate impacts on the daily lives of children in Sierra Leone and build sustainable solutions for their future. donate With your contribution, you will be joining a handful of individuals and organisations who have put their trust in our vision, approach and expertise. We take accountability very seriously and ensure that we make the most effective and efficient use of your financial support. In 2016, 81% of our funds went directly to the beneficiaries of our programmes, while the other 19% were used on programme support and administration. Currently, our generous supporters include: Fund for Global Human Rights, Banyan Tree Foundation, UNICEF Sierra Leone, Plan International, Rockdale Foundation, Defence for Children Netherlands and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
engage advocate partner stronger together! Instrumental in all our successes, we believe in the crucial importance and added value of strategic partnerships and continuous engagement with public and private actors. Whether you are an individual, a group of individuals or an organisation, we encourage you to share your ideas and add your voice to help us go the extra mile. ready to make a difference?
DEFENCE FOR CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL SIERRA LEONE HEAD OFFICE 4 Old Railway Line Tengbeh Town Freetown, Sierra Leone P.O. Box 1078 DISTRICT OFFICES Bo City, Kenema City, Makeni City, Moyamba Town info@dcisierraleone.org +23288818089 dcisierraleone.org @DefenceForChildrenSierraLeone @DCISierraLeone design: susan carswell toronto canada