Comparative Analysis of Child Protection Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Review of Four Countries with Implications for the Practice of Social Workers
Resumen
Introduction: Child protection, a persistent and urgent problem in sub-Saharan Africa, is heavily influenced by a colonial history that has shaped the region's social structures and policies, according to recent studies. This literature review compares the child protection systems of Seychelles, Ghana, Kenya, and Sierra Leone with a shared colonial history under Britain to identify similarities and differences and to understand the implications of the operating child protection system on child protection social workers. Methods: A computerized search of electronic databases, such as Social Work Abstract and Google Scholar, was undertaken from 2005 to 2024. Published, non-published, peer-reviewed, and non-peer-reviewed articles, policies, and reports were analyzed using the comparative case study method. Findings: Results from comparative analysis of policy documents, articles, and reports reveal that all four countries have legal frameworks and principles guiding the child protection system. Additionally, in all four countries, the institutional setup for child protection is a top-down approach. Findings also show one difference and more similarities. There is a difference in child protection issues and children's socioeconomic status, as countries have different Human Development Indexes. However, there are significant similarities in service approach, state control, and legislative frameworks rooted in the Anglo-Saxon child welfare model typical of the United Kingdom. The similarities indicate implications for practice as child protection social workers lack agency, flexibility/and reflexivity. Discussion: Given the implications of the child protection systems on child protection social workers, the paper argues for a system that empowers child protection social workers to work with discretion in the child's best interest rather than within a restrictive, controlled system. Conclusion: The study underscores the potential for positive change in child protection systems in sub-Saharan Africa, where child protection social workers will be empowered and provided with greater flexibility and innovation that can drive and promote a child-centered approach, potentially making child protection more effective.
Keywords: Child Protection Systems, Social Workers, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Citas
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Derechos de autor 2025 Ayuk Nyakpo Orock, Pavel Navratil, Susantha Rasnayake, Eun Koh, Theogene-Octave Gakuba
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