Promotion of Children’s Rights

Project Wusi Warma: Promotion of Children's Rights

At the age of 13, Evelyn was pulled into a van and kidnapped before the eyes of her helpless little sister. Evelyn experienced terrible things. She was threatened and forced to prostitute herself by the kidnappers. In the slums of Ventanilla, a Peruvian port city, Evelyn's case is no exception. A large number of children suffer from violence and abuse. Furthermore, the girls and boys are severely malnourished and infectious diseases are rife.  Kindernothilfe and the organization "Kusi Warma" support these children and lobby for their rights.

The Right to Protection from Sexual Abuse, Violence, Maltreatment, Neglect and Exploitation
Evelyn was very fortunate. She was freed only four months after the hijacking. However, she still suffers greatly from the trauma of the kidnapping. Today, Evelyn is 14 years old and lives in an institution where she receives medical and psychological treatment. Meanwhile legal proceedings against the perpetrators have been initiated. Forced child prostitution constitutes a huge problem in Ventanilla.

Violations of children's rights occur almost on a daily basis: almost 30 % of the children younger than twelve have already been victims of maltreatment. Children and young people are not respected and honoured in an appropriate way. 120 informative meetings and workshops will be conducted in order to prevent and combat violence against children. The information is aimed at helping to prevent the abuse of children. Adults will increasingly become aware of the children's rights and begin to advocate for the children.
Trained volunteers inform families and advise those families which are already affected by violence or are at risk. As the volunteers are able to identify cases of child abuse at an early stage, adequate measures can be implemented in time. Another important aspect of the work is the public dialogue about children's rights with all levels of society - families, local leaders and, most importantly, with the children themselves participating.

Right to Health and Health Care
Most families in Ventanilla are very poor. The facts are alarming: 94% of the inhabitants have no access to health services, more than 15% of the children are malnourished. 1300 families will benefit directly from the planned building of ten small health centres which will provide long-term treatment for malnourished children. A large part of the project is the counseling of parents concerning early childhood development. In workshops they are provided with basic information on topics like nourishment, health and hygiene with regard to children. The staff members of the project are supported by 90 volunteers who visit and advise the families.

Children's Right to Participation
Encouraged and supported by the project, children actively claim their rights. Many children have still to learn that they do have rights. Caning and other forms of violence are common in many families and are considered normal, not only by the parents but also by the children although they suffer greatly from it.

Prior to the start of the project, staff members conducted a survey among the children of the City of Ventanilla to learn about their views and opinions.
The survey revealed that the children want to have more influence on social processes and participate in decision-making.
The project enables them to take initiative and express themselves in public and make their voice heard.
Children and teenagers can meet, talk and get information about their rights not only at school but also in special youth centres. They can participate in workshops on topics such as maltreatment, rights and communication. Creating their own radio programmes, theatre performances, posters and exhibitions helps them to develop more self-esteem. The children and young people from Ventanilla learn to recognize their needs and rights and to articulate and to claim them.