ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Child Rights Education (CRE) Phase Up Project empowers children to understand, claim and exercise their rights while strengthening the capacity of families, schools and communities to create safe and inclusive environments for child participation. Building on achievements from the previous phase, the project supports children to actively engage in decision-making processes at household, school, community and national levels.
Implementation
The Project is implemented in Lusaka (Garden and Kamanga), Kabwe (Makululu and Katondo), and Kapiri Mposhi (Ndeke and Kashitu).
Project Objectives
The project strengthens Child Rights Clubs, School Councils and Community Monitoring Teams as platforms for promoting children’s participation, accountability and advocacy. It also equips teachers, community leaders and duty bearers with knowledge and skills to uphold the Children’s Code Act and international child rights standards.
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
Expected Impact
1. Increased knowledge and protection of children’s rights.
2. Greater participation of children in decisions affecting their lives.
3. Stronger community accountability for child protection.
4. Improved collaboration between children, communities and government institutions.
CHILD RIGHTS CLUBS(CRC)
The project has established and strengthened Children’s Rights Clubs (CRCs) in targeted schools, providing children with platforms to learn about their rights and responsibilities and actively contribute to promoting and protecting children’s rights. Guided by designated club coordinators, members meet to discuss issues affecting children, raise awareness among their peers, and advocate for children’s well-being.
The clubs also monitor the implementation of children’s rights in schools and communities, identify protection concerns, and engage with duty bearers, school management, and community leaders to report violations, seek solutions, and promote accountability in service delivery. Through these activities, CRCs strengthen children’s participation in decision-making and empower them to become active advocates for their rights and those of their peers.
Furthermore, CRCs promote positive behavioural and social change by encouraging respect, inclusion, peaceful conflict resolution, and responsible behaviour among learners. They help create safer and more inclusive learning environments where children feel confident to express their views, seek support, and contribute to decisions affecting their lives. Through their advocacy and engagement with stakeholders, the clubs strengthen collaboration between children, schools, families, and communities in addressing challenges affecting children’s rights and well-being.
Children’s Rights Club Members Promoting Child Participation
Members of the Children’s Rights Club (CRC) engage in a collaborative activity, sharing ideas and working together to develop solutions to issues affecting children. Through such participatory activities, CRC members strengthen their teamwork, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills while building their confidence to express their views and contribute to promoting and protecting children’s rights.
Children’s Rights Club Members Supporting Peer Learning
Members of the Children’s Rights Club (CRC) work together during a learning activity, sharing ideas and supporting one another. Through peer learning and collaboration, CRC members build their confidence, communication, and teamwork skills, strengthening their ability to promote children’s rights and contribute to a supportive and inclusive school environment.
CRC Members Raising Awareness Through Radio Programmes
Members of the Children’s Rights Club (CRC) participate in radio programmes to raise awareness about children’s rights and protection. Through these engagements, children amplify their voices, share knowledge about their rights, and help educate the wider community on the importance of protecting and promoting children’s well-being.
CRC Members Presenting Solutions to Challenges Affecting Children
Children’s Rights Club (CRC) members present proposed solutions to challenges affecting children, demonstrating their active participation in identifying issues and advocating for change. These engagements strengthen children’s leadership, communication, and advocacy skills while providing them with opportunities to influence decisions that affect their rights and well-being.
Children Mapping Where Children’s Rights Issues Are Reported
Children participated in an activity exploring where children’s rights concerns can be reported at different levels. Using a world map, they identified reporting points in Zambia and international and regional institutions, including the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms in Geneva and the African Union in Addis Ababa. The activity helped children understand that child rights concerns can be raised through different channels and that institutions at national, regional, and international levels have roles in promoting and protecting human rights.
SCHOOL COUNCILS
The project has established School Councils in targeted schools, with members of the Children’s Rights Clubs (CRCs) represented in these structures. School Councils provide learners with platforms to participate in school governance and decision-making on issues affecting their education, welfare, and rights.
They also serve as a bridge between learners and school administration, enabling learners to raise concerns, share ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to challenges they face. Through these structures, the project promotes meaningful child participation, strengthens communication between learners and school management, and encourages collaborative efforts to create safer, more inclusive, and supportive learning environments.
COMMUNITY MONITORING GROUPS
The project has established and strengthened Community Monitoring Groups to promote community participation in monitoring the implementation of children’s rights and the delivery of essential services. These groups bring together community members and other relevant stakeholders to identify concerns affecting children, monitor progress in addressing these issues, and advocate for improved service delivery and accountability.
Through engagement with duty bearers, traditional leaders, schools, and other service providers, Community Monitoring Groups help raise concerns about child protection, access to education, and other issues affecting children’s well-being. They also provide a platform for communities to contribute to identifying solutions, follow up on reported concerns, and hold service providers accountable for their responsibilities. These efforts strengthen community ownership and collective action in promoting and protecting children’s rights.
Keeping Duty Bearers Accountable for Children’s Rights
Community Monitoring Group members engage with community members to identify and discuss issues affecting children’s rights and well-being. Through these interactions, they gather concerns, monitor service delivery, and work collaboratively to identify solutions while engaging relevant duty bearers. These efforts strengthen community participation, promote accountability, and support collective action to improve the protection and welfare of children.
Children Leading the Way: Participatory Monitoring in Kapiri Mposhi
Children participate in data collection as part of the Community Monitoring Group’s activities in Kapiri Mposhi. Their involvement promotes meaningful child participation in monitoring issues affecting their rights and well-being, while ensuring that children’s experiences, views, and concerns inform community monitoring and advocacy efforts.
Children and Communities Working Together to Promote Children’s Rights
Children and community members participate in a collaborative discussion and mapping exercise to identify issues affecting children’s rights and well-being. Through this engagement, children share their experiences and perspectives alongside community members, helping to identify challenges, explore possible solutions, and strengthen collective action to promote and protect children’s rights