Child Protection Programmes

Every child has the right to be protected from violence, exploitation and abuse

Child protection for better,
stable and prosperous society

Child Protection is among our core interventions within our approaches since the inception of LEC Community Organization. We have been implementing projects on prevention and protection of children against child abuse, neglect and exploitation guided by both international, regional and national legal instruments among them United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and our Children Act 2022 enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Among the projects implemented include, Elimination of Child Labour, Ending Child Trafficking, Tackling Sexual exploitation of children and the current effort in protecting children from Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in Kenya.

Partner with us

Mathare LEC community child protection programs-

Facts and figures about
child exploitation in Kenya

Child labour

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that 8.5 percent of children, or 1.3 million children are engaged in child labour. According to Grace Banya, International Labor Organization (ILO) Project Manager, the number of children subjected to hard labor in Kenya shot up, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic period when schools were closed.

Harmful effects of exploitation

Child trafficking for domestic work, forced labour and sexual exploitation is also on the rise. The National Council on Children’s Services (NCCS) estimates that around 17,500 Kenyans are trafficked annually for domestic work, forced labour, and commercial sexual exploitation, of which 50% are likely to be minors. Child labour causes physical and mental harm on the child. It cuts the child off from accessing their basic rights like education and health care, depriving them of their future.

Benefits of protecting children

Foundation of society

Children are the foundation of society, and they have to be protected in a very good way because abuse and neglect of children can lead to negative consequences such as; depression, development delays, risk of developing substance abuse during adulthood. In addition to the impact on the child, child abuse and neglect also has profound, broad implications on communities.

Ways to protect children

Adequate social protection for all; increased spending on quality education and getting all children back into school; promotion of decent work for adults, so families don’t have to resort to child labour; an end to harmful gender norms and discrimination; enforcement of existing laws and policies against child labour; and investment in child protection systems, agricultural development, rural public services, infrastructure and livelihoods.