About the Project
“The Child-Friendly Citizen’s Legal Advice Desks” Project strengthens access to justice for children and vulnerable families by providing free legal information, advice and referrals through community-based legal advice desks. The project also promotes collaboration among government institutions, traditional leaders, community structures and civil society organizations to strengthen child protection systems.
Overall Project Objective
The project empowers communities to understand children’s rights under the Children’s Code Act while improving access to legal remedies for cases involving child neglect, abuse, exploitation, maintenance, custody and other child protection concerns.
Project Implementation
The project is being implemented by the Project Officer with four Paralegals and two (2) Legal Assistants in three provinces namely:
1. Lusaka: Lusaka district
2. Central: Kapiri-Mposhi district
3. Copperbelt: Kitwe district
Key Focus Areas
1. Child rights education and awareness
2. Strengthening Child Rights Clubs and School Councils
3. Community-based monitoring of children’s rights
4. Children’s participation in governance and budgeting
5. Capacity building for teachers, parents and community leaders
6. Advocacy for improved child protection and service delivery
7. Sustainable livelihoods for Community Monitoring Teams
Impact
1. Increased access to legal services for vulnerable children and families.
2. Stronger child protection systems at district and community levels.
3. Improved collaboration among justice, welfare and law enforcement institutions.
4. Reduced violations of children’s rights and increased access to justice.
Activities Implemented
1. Mobile Clinics
The Activity uses drama( poetry) to raise awareness and sensitise the communities on the services offered by the project and the content of the Child code act no.12 of 2012. Services offered during the mobile clinics include; Child maintenance, Landlord and tenanat disputes, child Labour, employment issues and provision of legal advise. The activity also acts as a bridge between the community and the Law enforcers.
ZCEA project staff providing free legal advise to community members in Lusaka District. This was during the mobile free legal clinics
Drama group performing during the mobile free legal clinic to sensitise the communities on the services offered by the project and the need to protect children aganist violation.
Memebers of the community in Lusaka district are sensitised and engaged during the mobile free legal advise clinic. The project discussed the diferent services that are offered by the project.
ZCEA legal assistant providing free legal advice to a client at a legal mobile clinic in Kapoto compound of Kitwe District
ZCEA project staff; Paralegal and legal assistant provding legal adbvice in Mulenga Compound in Kitwe District.
Members of the community gather to listen to sensitisations message by ZCEA during the mobile clinic in Kapiri Mposhi
ZCEA paralegal providing free legal advise to community members in Kapiri Mposhi District. This was during the mobile free legal clinics
The drama group in session sensitising the people during the mobile clinic in Lusaka district
A drama group performing during the mobile free legal clinic in mulenga Compound of Kitwe District