Building a protective environment for street children in the global context of Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19): lessons from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Violence against children is a global health problem of high significance. While the Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the risks of violence against children in global, there have been unparalleled effects on street children. Using the case of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this article explores the prospects of building a protective environment for street children. First, we demonstrate how COVID-19 has changed the living conditions, livelihoods, and risks of violence against street children. Second, drawing on the lessons from the multisectoral responses to COVID-19, I explore the prospects and challenges for improving prevention and response programs for street children. The present article concludes by examining some factors of resilience that can inform existing interventions for street children in the DRC in global, drawing on the lessons from responses to COVID-19. The latter is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2 which is contagious and spreads quickly. It can also cause respiratory illness in humans. This article is relevant because COVID-19 has led to reflective changes in different sectors that affect considerably children’s lives. Therefore, it will be significant to build protective measures to safeguard children after COVID-19 and not leave street children behind.

How to reference using ASWNet style:

Murhula, K. G. (2023). Building a protective environment for street children in the global context of Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19): lessons from the Democratic Republic of Congo. African Journal of Social Work, 13(5), 235-243. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v13i5.2

Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net