How the Child Protection Reference Group is Transforming Lives in Southern Mozambique
By Álvaro Malamba, Communication and Advocacy Coordinator
In the remote community of Chivongoene, nestled within the Guijá district, families once faced a long and difficult road to get justice for their children. Delays in addressing child rights violations—especially cases of early marriage—left many feeling helpless and unheard. The greatest barrier was distance: families had to travel to the main village of Guijá, where justice services were located, which was a costly journey that many could not afford.
To address this, in collaboration with World Vision Mozambique, the Public Prosecutor’s Office helped establish the Child Protection Reference Group—a vital link between the community and justice institutions. This community-based group provides a local mechanism for families to report child rights violations without the burden of expensive and time-consuming travel.
Rosálina, a mother of three, remembers how difficult it was before: “Before the Reference Group was formed, parents like me had to watch our children suffer in silence. The thought of travelling all the way to the main village, spending money we didn’t have, was overwhelming. But today, things are different. When something happens to one of our children, we know there’s a place nearby where we can get help. The group gave us hope when we thought there was none left.”
Since its formation, the Reference Group has become a lifeline for Chivongoene—identifying and addressing cases of child rights violations, especially early unions, and educating the wider community on how to respond. It has not only increased access to justice, but also built trust in local systems and reduced fear around reporting.
“We’ve seen an enormous difference,” said Carlos, a local community leader. “Families no longer fear speaking up, and there’s an increase in reports being made. They know they’re not alone—there’s a support network that ensures justice is served for our children.”
World Vision played a key role in the group’s establishment—facilitating the setup, building capacity, and linking the members to the Justice Ombudsman’s office for follow-up. This has strengthened both the group’s credibility and its ability to act swiftly and responsibly.
Today, the Child Protection Reference Group is proving that even in the most isolated regions, justice and protection for children are within reach. In Chivongoene, hope is no longer a distant dream—it’s a living reality.