Child Safeguarding Association of Kenya (CSAK) officially launches

While the launch marked a momentous occasion, it is essential to acknowledge that the groundwork for this initiative was laid three (3) years prior, with tireless commitment and perseverance from stakeholders committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children across the nation.

The event was officiated by Nairobi County Women Rep Hon. Esther Passaris, who highlighted the importance of the private and NGO sectors in Kenya joining hands with the government in leading the way in prioritizing safeguarding as a crucial commitment and accountability function.

“We cannot, as government, run and do anything without civil society. We are not enemies. We are not competing. We are here to complement each other to achieve the objective. I’m a patron of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund which is strictly for marginalized communities and registered as self-help groups or CBOs.

It’s very rare that we are allowed to give money to NGOs because there is this perception in government that NGOs are fully funded by the international community. It pains me that our pain points are being funded by external resources. We all can pull our resources together and fund these initiatives,” said the Nairobi County Woman Rep, Esther Passaris during her speech as the Guest of Honor.

She went on to cite the example of Bridge International Academies which saw a gap in the education sector and stepped up to meet the need. 

The launch of CSAK represents a pivotal moment in Kenya's commitment to safeguarding its children from various forms of abuse, exploitation, neglect, and violence. By consolidating efforts, resources, and expertise under one umbrella, CSAK aims to create a safer and more nurturing environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.

Speaking at the launch, Jenifer Kaberi, a founding member of CSAK and the CEO and founder of Mtoto News passionately expressed the need for collective action. “Safeguarding starts with making children a priority. It is not a Human Resource (HR) job; safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility,” she said. 

CSAK's mandate extends beyond the ceremonial launch; it represents a commitment to action and tangible change in the landscape of child safeguarding in Kenya. Through strategic partnerships, advocacy initiatives, capacity-building programs, and grassroots interventions, CSAK aims to address gaps in child safeguarding comprehensively.

Shedding light on the initiative’s inception, Martin Juma, the CSAK Chairperson and founder of Tunza Safeguarding said, “CSAK for me is a creation of a commitment to make sure that children are safe in the spaces where they are sent to achieve their full potential.

"So, coming together to ensure that this happens within organizations inspired myself and other like-minded individuals to set up the Child Safeguarding Association of Kenya.” 

The association's founding companies, comprised of diverse stakeholders including Ujamaa Africa, Medecin San Frontiers (MSF), Bridge International Academies (BIA), Wangu Kanja Foundation, Mtoto News, and Plan International, reflect the broad-based support and collaborative spirit in shaping the vision, mission, and objectives of CSAK, laying the foundation for its establishment and subsequent launch. 

By prioritizing the voices and experiences of children themselves, CSAK endeavors to ensure that its interventions are responsive to the evolving needs and realities of the children it seeks to serve.

“I don’t understand how we can work in a field without engaging the people we are working for; the field itself. We are basically working blind if we are not involving children,” said Brian King, a journalist at Mtoto News, during the panel discussion at the event. 

In addition to celebrating its official launch on January 31st, 2024, CSAK looks forward to future endeavors aimed at expanding its impact.

These include plans to grow its membership base by prioritizing inclusivity, fostering policy consultations with government and other stakeholders to inform effective child safeguarding strategies, and advocating for the strengthening of legal frameworks to better protect the rights and well-being of children across Kenya.

The origin of CSAK and its founders

The roots of CSAK trace back to its formation in 2021, driven by a shared vision among concerned individuals and organizations to address the pressing issue of child safeguarding in Kenya comprehensively.

Recognizing the multifaceted challenges affecting children, including but not limited to abuse, exploitation, neglect, and inadequate access to essential services, CSAK was conceived as a platform to consolidate efforts, resources, and expertise toward ensuring a safer environment for all children.

Ujamaa Africa, Medecin San Frontiers (MSF), Bridge International Academies (BIA), Wangu Kanja Foundation, Mtoto News, and Plan International are some of the founding organizations of CSAK, representing diverse stakeholders committed to the cause of child protection and welfare.

These entities have played a pivotal role in shaping the vision, mission, and objectives of CSAK, laying the foundation for its establishment and subsequent launch. 

Why is Child Safeguarding important?

Below are some alarming statistics that emphasize the need for child safeguarding in Kenya:

According to the Violence Against Children Survey Report - 2019, approximately 45.6% of children aged 18 and below have experienced some form of physical violence in their lifetime.

The same report highlights that 9.6% of children in Kenya have been subjected to emotional violence, which includes acts such as humiliation, intimidation, and ridicule.

A study conducted by Childline Kenya and Plan International in 2020 revealed that 18% of Kenyan children have experienced sexual violence, including rape, defilement, and sexual assault.

The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014 found that 39% of girls in Kenya have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM) by the age of 15.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) estimates that approximately 47% of Kenyan girls and 45% of Kenyan boys have experienced some form of sexual violence before reaching the age of 18.

The National Council for Children’s Services (NCCS) reported that child labor remains a prevalent issue in Kenya, with an estimated 3 million children engaged in hazardous labor, exposing them to various forms of abuse, exploitation, and neglect.