Community-based Child Protection: A Strategy for Protecting Conflict-affected Girls and Boys: A Case Study from Central African Republic

This case study describes the role of community-based child protection groups in protecting children in conflict-affected Central African Republic.

The outbreak of a violent conflict in Central African Republic (CAR) led to mass displacement in December 2013, leaving 2.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance - half of them children. Since 2014, Plan International has supported the education and protection needs of children affected by armed conflict, including girls and boys associated with armed forces and groups: for example as fighters, cooks, sex slaves, or spies.

Plan International provides a comprehensive integrated child protection, psychosocial and education programme in the provinces of Mambere-Kadei, Ouham and Lobaye. The programme’s aim is to prevent child recruitment and support the reintegration of former child solders, unaccompanied and separated children and other vulnerable children into the community.