The need of providing a safe environment for young people to enjoy Scouting is very key to the Scouting movement. There have been many initiatives to enhance this through the enactment of Safe from Harm policies and practives in Scouting.

From the GSAT assessment conducted in July 2019, ASSOCIAÇÃO DOS ESCUTEIROS DE CABO VERDE (AECV) did not have a Safe from Harm Policy which is an important tool that provides a framerwork for a safe environment to practice Scouting. Unfortunately, this is a reality that extends to a big number of NSOs in West Africa that do not have updated Safe from Harm Policies; which makes it difficult for them to handle any case of abuse should it arise. Lack of such policies also mean that the NSOs do not have systems and structures that would effectively support the provision of a Safe environment for its members.

In some cases, some of the NSOs have in place Child protection policies which only address part or selective elements of Safe from harm policy thus this may not adequately address the emerging issues and trends around safety of all members of the movement.

In this context, Cape Verde would like to develop their capacity to respond to this need through a Safe from Harm Workshop withing the framework of the West Africa zonal Conference so as to also benefit other NSOs from West Africa.

Therefore, this project aims to introduce the World Safe from Harm Policy to the 14 NSOs in the West Africa zone enabling them to develop and implement tailored NSOs policies. This will in turn support the NSOs in implementing the Safe from Harm Programme.

HOW WILL THIS CHANGE BE VISIBLE IN TWO YEARS?

1. Cape Verde will have a Safe from Harm policy developed and implemented.
2. NSOs in the zone will have regularly updated Safe from Harm Policies. Furthermore, they will have set up systems and structures within their NSOs to support the implementation of the Safe from Harm programme; including designated leaders to spearhead the implementation of the Safe from Harm Programme.
3. Scouting in the participating NSOs will be regarded as a key stakeholder among the organisations promoting safety of children and young people thereby improving its profile.
4. This will bring confidence among stakeholders like parents who will be comfortable letting their children join Scouting leading to growth in membership.