Attachments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2022, children and adolescents in Cameroon continued to face human right violations in the Southwest region. The ongoing crisis has heavy impacts on children, firstly because of their inherent vulnerability but also because they are exposed to unthinkable forms of violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect, affecting their survival, growth and development.
This report focuses on major issues faced by children in 2022 in communities where DRC implemented child protection activities. To identify child protection needs and risks, understand the availability and quality of child protection services, and generate data that will inform programming and humanitarian response, DRC conducted a child protection assessment. Findings from this report also include data collected by DRC through its monthly protection monitoring activities in 2022.
Through 30 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and 51 key Informant interviews (KII), DRC identified major child protection concerns such as child maltreatment, sexual violence, children associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG), many Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) without or limited support, and inaccessibility to education. This report also looks children’s behavioural changes due to the ongoing crisis and child protection services available in these communities. Recommendations are made at the end of the report to prevent and respond to child protection issues faced by children, families and strengthen child protection community-based protection mechanism. Data from this report is complimented by PM data for 2022 and other assessment reports done within the context of the ongoing crisis.