Statement of the International Social Service (ISS)1 at the occasion of the 45th ordinary session of the ACERWC in Lesotho

Based on its multi-layered work at individual casework and research levels as well as through its capacity building, technical assistance and evidence-based advocacy initiatives, ISS wishes to draw the ACERWC’s attention to the following issues that put children’s rights at risk in the African continent and beyond:

National child protection systems continue to require further strengthening through concrete capacity building initiatives and the development of technical resources that allow for harmonised, multisectoral and efficient approaches among child protection professionals. Through its work in Morocco, in collaboration with UNICEF Morocco and the Ministry of Solidarity, ISS is engaged in advancing the protection of children in vulnerable situations, whether they remain in their family environment or are placed in the child protection system through robust gatekeeping mechanisms, quality family-based alternative care options and family reintegration. However, ISS observes steadily decreasing budgets in child protection and prevailing obstacles to achieving sustainable change for children and families through effective prevention services and schemes. ISS work in Ivory Coast is an example of how to try to address root causes of child abandonment (2024 Study), advance on introducing specialised foster care and develop community-based solutions for families and children with disabilities.