Positive Developments in Child Welfare in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso has launched a significant child welfare initiative that deserves the spotlight, especially as it recently wrapped up a remarkable three-year pilot known as the Child-Sensitive Social Protection Programme (CSSPP). Initiated in June 2020 and concluding in April 2023, this program focused on four key regions: Boucle du Mouhoun, Centre-North, East, and North. By providing an unconditional cash transfer of FCFA 16,000 (roughly USD 30) monthly to eligible households, the CSSPP sought to alleviate economic pressures while complementing support with vital Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services, as well as nutrition programs.
Detailed investigations were undertaken to gauge the CSSPP’s impact on various demographics, including children, adolescents, women, and entire households. Through a series of mixed-method studies, evaluators collected valuable insights about the program’s fidelity and uncovered lessons aimed at enhancing its overall effectiveness and efficiency. A crucial aspect of this analysis was the midline study, which formed part of the broader GRASSP research agenda.
The endline study aimed to encapsulate the full spectrum of impacts tied to the CSSPP, meticulously comparing outcomes across multiple phases. One of the intriguing findings revealed how community-level factors and dynamics played a moderating role in shaping these impacts. Despite the challenges arising from the evolving security landscape in the regions, the endline data contributes important insights regarding the adaptability and resilience of social protection programs in contexts exposed to various shocks.
This initiative is a testament to Burkina Faso’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable populations, particularly children, receive the support they need to thrive. As the results from the CSSPP continue to unfold, they offer a beacon of hope and a model that could inspire similar strategies across the African continent and beyond.
For those invested in social welfare and child protection, this initiative stands as a compelling example of effective program design and implementation in challenging environments, highlighting the resilience and potential for positive change within communities.
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