SCEF’s Leadership in Coordination of Accra Platform for Global Alliance for Street Work
Street-connected children are often overlooked and denied their basic needs- education, health, and social protection. The Global Alliance for Street Work aims to advocate for and empower street-connected children, and the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) has been at the forefront of its efforts in Ghana. SCEF has taken an enormous role in the coordination of the Accra Platform for Global Alliance for Street Work, which held two quarterly meetings and an advocacy event so far.
The advocacy event was in commemoration of the International Day for Street Children, celebrated every year on April 12th. This year’s theme focused on keeping street-connected children safe, raising awareness about their challenges and issues in all parts of the world. The Global Alliance for Street Work joined efforts with street children and youth in Katamanto, where they had an interactive event titled “Time with Children on the Street.”
The event aimed to educate the public about the IDSC, children’s rights, and create service opportunities for networking by partner NGOs. Tijani Mahmoud Programme Manager at Muslim Family Counseling Services (MFCS) and Regional Coordinator for Global Alliance for Street Work introduced the various representatives. participants shared their ongoing projects and activities, and emphasized the importance of education, health, and social protection for children. Over 200 children and young people from the local Katamanto community participated in the event, where they had the opportunity to ask questions, make meaningful contributions, and showcase their dance moves. It was indeed an exciting and impactful day.
NGOs that participated in the awareness creation exercise includes; Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF), Street Girls Aid (S.Aid), Chance for Children (CFC), Friends In Need, Welfare of Children and Youth Association and Street Social Workers Network (SSWN). Their submissions, experiences and insights were added advantage to the advocacy.
The event was organized thanks to the efforts of SCEF and the able leadership of Tijani Mahmoud, Regional Coordinator for Global Alliance for Street Work, who continue to work closely with partner NGOs and stakeholders in advocating for and empowering street-connected children. Upcoming plans for the Accra Platform include quarterly meetings, training of members on SRHR in June 2023, and training of street champions on SRHR in August 2023.
A documentary was produced from the IDSC advocacy engagement at Kantamanto, highlighting the plights and challenges of children in street-connected situations with a call to action. The documentary would be extensively used for advocacy purposes to mark the International Day for the African Child on June 16th, 2023.
SCEF’s leadership in coordination of the Accra Platform for Global Alliance for Street Work is a testament to its commitment to advocating for and empowering street-connected children. By working together with partner NGOs and stakeholders, we can create a better future for children in street situations around the world.
