The Examinations and Schools’ Education Departments of the British Council held a workshop for principals, teachers and parents of the British Council’s Associate Schools network to raise awareness on “Child Abuse”.
Partnered with UNICEF, the National Council for Child Welfare and ‘Safe Child’ the workshop raised awareness about skills, information and prevention strategies to safeguard their kids against physical and sexual violence.
The British Council Country Director Robin Davies opened the conference and major speeches were given by the partners. The National Council for Child Welfare spoke about its role in coordinating child protection work within the country and the valuable partnership they have with the British Council, and focused on the approved child law of 2010 where children were given the full right to be protected against all kinds of abuse.
A Child Protection consultant presented an introduction to the topic by giving some definitions of the word “abuse” and national statistics on the practice.
UNICEF shared important information on its international intervention. ‘Safe Child’ highlighted the causes of sexual abuse, signs of an abuser and where the abuse could take place. They also shared with the parents some important strategies that can help them in protecting children against sexual abuse.
Action points from the workshop will be taken forward by Safe Child and the British Council, working with other partners to raise awareness amongst government policy makers.
The event was organized by the British Council’s ‘Child Protection’ team as one of a series of awareness-raising workshops delivered for partners. Other sessions have included, with the Sudan Traffic Department, ‘I am Safe on the Road’ which was delivered to school bus drivers and assistants to raise their awareness on the important role they have in protecting children while they are in their school daily journey. The British Council, In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, also delivered a workshop to raise awareness amongst principals, teachers and parents on Corporal Punishment and its effect on children.