Child Rights and Protection cuts across many thematic areas in SFR’s programs. However, in addition, a direct approach to protecting children is vital for the development of Rwanda. SFR’s specific aims in Child Rights and Protection are:

To promote the human rights of all children, including the rights of children with disabilities
To promote child protection at the community, district and national level through provision of training at all levels, the judiciary and the police force
To promote a reduction and eventual dissolution of child labor through advocacy, educational assistance and retention and provision of training at the community level
To reduce the vulnerability of children through assistance with education, economic support, vocational training, nutritional awareness, sanitation, income generating activities and shelter, particularly for OVCs and those living in CHHs

Since 2003, SFR has intervened with five key projects based around protection and promoting the rights of children. Several have already been mentioned in detail above; Early Childhood Development, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Vocational Training for Out-of-School Youths, and People with Disabilities. In addition to this, in 2009/10, SFR partnered with the Global Fund, and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) to implement a child protection project in four districts: Burera, Musanze, Nyamasheke and Rusizi. The project’s main focus was to provide training at all levels on promoting and protecting child rights. This included the district police units, CBOs, local leaders from village to sector level, the Joint Action Forum, the Bar Association and child protection committees. Part of the project also focused on strengthening the capacity of Child Protection Committees to improve effectiveness.