Save the Children free phone booths push child abuse issues to the fore

By Staff Reporter

TO enhance the accessibility of reporting platforms for children, Save the Children, with funding support from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, established two freephone mobile booths at schools in Bulilima and Mangwe districts.

The mobile booths are designed to create a secure environment for children to contact the Childline 116 helpline. They serve as vital platforms for children to obtain information, report cases of abuse, and receive psychosocial support. The guidance and counselling teachers, along with members of the child-led Child Protection Committee, oversee the operation of these booths in the schools.  16-year-old Nkosi (not real name), a learner and member of the Child Protection Committee, shared,

“I have used the freephone before. It is user-friendly. All you need to do is dial 116, and someone on the other end picks up urgently. They are friendly and ready to listen. From the feedback I’ve received from my peers, the phone is very helpful to them. They say it’s easy to talk to someone on the other side, knowing they are free from any judgment, and their friendliness makes it easier for them to share what’s bothering them.”

The initiative addresses challenges faced by children, including:

• Lack of Access: Some children do not have phones available at home.
• Privacy Concerns: Others may need to use their caregivers’ mobile phones, which could discourage them from making calls due to a lack of privacy.

From April to June 2024, 12 cases—comprising 3 males and 9 females—have been reported via the helpline and they were referred to the Department of Social Development (DSD) for follow-up. The reported issues during this period include financial hardships affecting education, exposure to domestic violence, physical abuse, neglect, teenage pregnancies, and a report of a missing child. The case of the missing child was resolved, and the child has been successfully reunited with their guardians with the assistance of DSD officers and immigration officials.

During emergencies, such as the current El Niño-induced drought affecting both districts, child rights violations are on the rise hence the need to strengthen reporting mechanisms to ensure children are protected. So far, over 950 children have access the freephone booths, and Save the Children plans to expand this service to reach more children in the two districts.