ӣ��Ӱ��

Topic

Barriers and Facilitators to Child Participation Within the Child Protection Context in sub-Saharan Africa

School of Child and Youth Care

Date & location

• Friday, November 21, 2025

• 2:00 P.M.

• Virtual Defence

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Doris Kakuru, School of Child and Youth Care, ӣ��Ӱ�� (Supervisor)

• Dr. Shanne McCaffrey, School of Child and Youth Care, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

• Dr. Eugene Dim, Department of Sociology, ӣ��Ӱ�� 

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Deborah Rutman, School of Social Work, UVic 

Abstract

Child welfare policies and laws in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), along with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), require involving children and young people in welfare and protection decisions that affect them. Yet, till date, research on the degree to which children are involved in the region is limited.

This study explores the factors that hinder or support children’s role in decision-making within child protection. This study used a scoping review methodology, following PRISMA ScR-2020 guidelines, to map practical, structural, cultural and systemic challenges to children’s involvement in welfare or protection decisions. Seventeen (17) included articles were chosen and reviewed from an initial pool of 2,262; literature was screened with Covidence software (Babineau, 2014).

The study findings revealed that entrenched cultural norms, weak recognition of children’s participation rights, and inadequate child-friendly practices are the major barriers to child participation in SSA. Inconsistencies in international child participation standards, and unclear clarity on age, maturity, and competencies threshold are also key challenges. The study suggests culturally relevant ways to improve children's involvement in SSA.