In accordance with the commitments made through the ratification of the CRC, Congo in
1993 adopted the National Action Plan for Children (PANE). The ongoing political tensions
and armed conflict that repeatedly marked the decade did not allow the implementation of
this plan. Nevertheless, the national strategic framework for vulnerable children adopted in
September 2003, is based on three main principles: (i) the best interests of the child and
participation in decision-making; (ii) the right based approach as basis for programme
management, projects and services; (iii) the family as the privileged place for child
development.
The priority actions are:
- The fight against physical, sexual, psychological and abuse in the family, at school, in
society or in institutions;
- The fight against neglect, exploitation, including forced labour, trafficking of all kinds,
enlistment in the armed forces, prostitution;
- The fight against discrimination in all forms;
- Elimination of the worst forms of exploitation of children;
- Ensuring that all children receive attention in a family environment.
This plan focuses on nine strategic areas, including the promotion of partnership that deserves
more attention. In this case, it is to establish a legal framework for cooperation, that is both
consensual and flexible, to be strengthen, to strengthen the operational capacities of key
stakeholders (NGOs, children, families, social workers, communities) and harmonise
working methods, language, field operations. The full participation of children must be
acquired, too.
The Government through the Ministry for Social Affairs is developing, with the support of
UNICEF and in conjunction with civil society organisations, the World Bank and the Global
Fund, management strategies for OVCs and rehabilitation of street children. The
implementation of these strategies has led to the care in late 2008 of 18,842 orphans and
other vulnerable children in all the chief towns and villages of the country (Brazzaville,
Pointe Noire, Dolisie and Mossendjo, Sibiti Madingou, Nkayi, Kinkala, Mindouli, Djambala
Ewo, Owando, Ouesso, Impfondo), including: medical assistance (5886 OVC) school
attendance (3901 OVC), a professional learning support (485 OVC), supporting the
development or strengthening of an income-generating activity (429 families).
For the period 2004-2008 the allocated budget was: Government: 5,000,000 FCFA / year,
UNICEF: 103,800 US dollars, the World Bank US $ 350 million.
In 2009, the project was reoriented, interventions focused solely on the care of children
infected and affected by HIV / AIDS. The following activities were implemented for this
purpose: supporting the development or strengthening of an income-generating activity: 374
families; Vocational training: 374 OVC psychological support: 3140 OVC; Health Care:
4513 OVC; academic support: 5538 OVC. The distribution of the supported OVC by age is
as follows: 0-4 years: 12%; 5-9 years: 26%; 10-14 years: 34%; 15-18: 28%, the proportion of
girls is 50.2%.
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