Staff on the Frontline: Afra Maman Enables Women in Blue Nile Communities to Contribute Effectively to Child Protection

Q: Tell us about your work with Save the Children.

A: As a Child Protection Officer for Save the Children Protection Unit, my work relies heavily on planning skills as well as harmonious interactions with local communities across Blue Nile Region. I organize awareness-raising workshops to protect against violence against children and to get rid of harmful cultural practices. In most cases, I rely on relationships that I have built over the years with Blue Nile community leaders and try to tailor events in such a way that they appeal to local sensibilities, while, at the same time, educating people regarding Save the Children’s mandate in Blue Nile.

Q: What has been your biggest achievement in your period with Save the Children Child Protection?

A: A child protection campaign I am most proud of in the course of my career at SCI is the ‘Voices of Blue Nile’ program, which encourages women across the region to contribute effectively to the cause of sustainable child protection.

This is an ongoing campaign that trains women on child protection activities aimed at improving their protection contributions. They also get to be active participants in child protection issues.

One of the target groups of this campaign are the activists, female who leads women's rights, equality, and justice campaigns. These women activists now use their craft to fight for the cause of child protection across Blue Nile. They are very influential in local society, reaching out to men, women, children, and youth groups.

The wide reach of the ‘Voices of Blue Nile’ campaign is something I am very proud of.

Q: In your opinion, why is it important to invest in Child Protection?

A: In my opinion, it is only through investing in child protection that societies can develop. We hold the power to change our child situation as well as their future for the better, to ensure that every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Therefore, it is time that we start investing and working towards a harmonious existence for all.