Deploying mobile teams to prevent & tackle child rights violations

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns have resulted in an increase in child rights violations in the city of Bogotá. These include challenges caused by poverty, such as child labour, begging, school drop-out or even homelessness. The District Strategy for Children is designed to address these challenges by deploying mobile teams in the districts of the city to identify children and families at risk, alert them of the availability of support, and refer and accompany them to relevant services.

The strategy is implemented in close collaboration with the different local government departments responsible for services for children and their families. The mobile team sets out to places where child rights violations are likely to occur: in the streets, public transport or commercial centres. Through a set of artistic and other activities, mobile teams seek to engage children who would spend time in those spaces. Identification of situations of risks and referral to relevant services is accompanied by awareness-raising activities targeting parents of children at risk. Depending on the situation of the children and their family, children may be supported by immediate material aid such as shelter, food or medical care.