Ouagadougou: The Good Shepherd Association for Participatory Local Development (ABDLP), in collaboration with the provincial directorate of family and national solidarity of Tapoa, organized a training session in Diapaga for Community Volunteer Animators on child protection on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the province of Tapoa, like several other localities in Burkina Faso, is facing significant challenges in child protection, including school dropout, child labor, violence, and family separations due to insecurity. Community Volunteer Facilitators (CVFs) are pivotal in identifying potential cases in villages and neighborhoods.

To effectively fulfill their roles, it is crucial for CVFs to be knowledgeable about the laws, recognize signs of danger, and understand the referral process to relevant services such as Social Action, the police, health, and justice. This training is a part of the association’s community initiatives, as stated by its executive secretary, Lamoudi Yonli. The association focuses on promoting children’s rights, protecting vulnerable women, and strengthening family and community resilience in the Eastern region.

The training session, themed “Child protection and case referral,” is scheduled for five days and aims to equip AVCs for improved management and referral of children’s rights violations within communities. In times of crisis, when children are particularly vulnerable, the role of Community Volunteer Facilitators becomes crucial in the prevention and protection chain, emphasized Comrade Yonli, highlighting the need to enhance their skills for effective role performance.

Led by experts like Comrade Lassane Sawadogo, the provincial director of Family and National Solidarity of Tapoa, the training aims to fortify child protection, inclusive education, empowerment, livelihoods, and resilience in the region.