In a bid to strengthen the capacity of social workers working with children, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare conducted Child Protection trainings to equip staff with skills to deal with child abuse cases in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the special needs of children in the context of HIV and AIDS.

The two trainings conducted on 8th to 12th and 22nd to 26th August 2011 respectively.

Caption: On the left are facilitators while on the right are the trainees during counselling session

The Department of Social Welfare Chief Child Welfare Officer Mrs. Mantsenki Mphalane indicated that the high HIV prevalence in the country have impacted children in a different way, therefore it is important to train DSW staff on broad child protection issues to be able to protect children including those that are affected by the challenges of HIV and AIDS.

Among others the training orientated DSW staff with clear roles and responsibilities of all key players providing child welfare and protection services in Lesotho, create common understanding among DSW staff of the legislations such as Child Protection and Welfare Act 2011, Sexual Offences Act 2003 and Trafficking Persons Act 2011 , and all laws pertaining to Child Protection.

The training addressed topics such as concept of Child Protection including human right and child rights, contextualizing Child Protection looking at different aspects such as HIV and AIDS, poverty, migration, food insecurity, unemployment as well as cultural norms and practices.

The training further discussed on Child Protection issues in Lesotho for different children i.e. abused children, children in conflict with the law, Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and child labour. Also participants discussed on case management from child abuse, disclosure, reporting, recording, referring, as well as roles and responsibilities of duty bearers.

Facilitators of the training were Dr. ‘Malineo Matsela and Dr. Itumeleng Kimane from National University of Lesotho, Mr. Booi Mohapi from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Dr Megh Raj from MSH and Advocate Sakoane Sakoane. Other facilitators were drawn from Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU), Child Help Line, Probation Unit and the office of the Master of the high court.

Participants indicated that the training is an eye opener to complex challenges that face children brought by HIV and AIDS coupled with other social and cultural issues. The participants now are aware who to work with and where to refer some of the cases and the approach of managing complex child protection cases.

The training of Social Workers on child Protection and HIV and AIDS is funded under Global fund Round 9 HIV grant whose aim is to capacitate the staff of the Department of Social Welfare to be able to offer effective support to Orphans and Vulnerable Children.