Across Eastern and Southern Africa, an increasing number of children and young people are active online each year (UNICEF, 2023). Increased access to the internet brings incredible opportunities for learning, communication, and connection. But it also presents new challenges to children and young people, especially the risk of Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA).
When children feel unsafe, child helplines are often the first place they turn to for help and protection. That’s why the Voice Up Africa! Project is working to strengthen the practice and recognition of child helplines across the region. So, children not only understand the dangers they face online, but also know exactly where to find timely and trusted support when they need it.
Looking Back: Building Strong Foundations
- Brought our network together – aligned goals, standardized processes, and strengthened risk management.
- Upgraded child helpline infrastructure – In Ethiopia and Tanzania, we began rolling out Aselo, a modular, customizable platform co-developed by Child Helpline International (CHI) and Tech Matters. This will make it easier for children to reach out and give child helplines more innovative ways to manage contacts and data.
- Reinforced collaboration and shared accountability – Child helplines strengthened ties with national stakeholders, including government agencies, telecoms, tech companies, civil society, and academic institutions. In Tanzania, government partners even expressed willingness to develop new policies and guidelines on OCSEA; going beyond what we had originally planned.
At the same time, Child Helpline International raised the profile of child helplines on the global stage. We brought child helpline perspectives to major forums, including the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, the WeProtect Global Summit and the Internet Governance Forum. At these engagements, we shared child helpline data and findings, made recommendations on referral and response to online harms, ensured the voices of children were heard and acknowledged and called for stronger recognition of child helplines as frontline response mechanisms to online harms. Furthermore, by fostering partnerships with the tech sector and mobile operators, we had a strong presence in the Protection through Online Participation (POP) initiative, where we aim to strengthen intersections between the tech industry and child helplines, to streamline referral mechanisms. The result? Governments and key stakeholders across the region have forged cross-sector partnerships and are increasingly recognising child helplines as critical to OCSEA prevention and response. These recognitions and collaborations are the foundation for long-term impact and improved child protection systems.
A Shared Mission
Voice Up Africa! is made possible through the financial support of Safe Online and the commitment of our child helpline members and partners. Together, we are safeguarding children in a digital world.
Project Coordinator
Alessandra Bertone
Communications Coordinator
