Empowering Communities: The Impact of Community-Based Protection Networks in Malakal
Community-Based Protection Networks (CBPNs) have emerged as a vital strategy for fostering and sustaining peaceful environments in crisis-affected communities. These networks are community-led initiatives where members are trained to identify and utilize local resources to address protection concerns. By establishing CBPNs, communities can take ownership of their safety, protection, and well-being.
Posted on 28 Aug 2024
In Malakal, DRC with fundings from UNHCR has supported the mentoring of 75 women and men who now serve on various CBPN committees.
These committees cover essential areas such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Early Warning and Early Response, Community Policing among others. They play a crucial role in identifying and addressing protection concerns at the grassroots level.
The CBPN in Malakal tackles a range of issues affecting the community. For instance, they address child marriages by identifying and intervening in such cases.
They combat GBV by raising awareness about gender equality and the importance of reporting GBV cases. Additionally, they collaborate with stakeholders to promote community security by identifying security concerns and development needs.
Furthermore, they identify and alert the community and humanitarian agencies about potential threats to their safety and security, preparing them to minimize the impact of any incidents.
While the DRC CBPNs in Malakal have established networks, they still encounter several challenges that impact their work.
These include limited resources, security risks, cultural obstacles, communication barriers, limited community engagement, coordination challenges, capacity building needs, and sustainability concerns. These challenges highlight the complex environment in which the committees operate. Addressing these issues can increase their effectiveness in safeguarding communities.
Community-Based Protection Networks (CBPNs) have emerged as a vital strategy for fostering and sustaining peaceful environments in crisis-affected communities.
In Malakal, the success of CBPNs hinges on the active participation of community members in protecting each other. In Malakal, CBPN members have successfully addressed and resolved protection issues such as GBV, early warning and response to health risks, and community security.
CBPNs foster a sense of ownership of protection within communities, where individuals assume responsibility for protecting themselves and their community.
This shift in dynamics empowers community members to take an active role in their own protection, reducing their dependence on external aid agencies.
CBPNs also establish community-driven accountability, which is crucial for maintaining long-term protection solutions in crisis-affected communities.
The community-based approach instills a sense of ownership and accountability within the community, ensuring that security and protection concerns are effectively addressed.
Despite their challenges, CBPNs continue to play a significant role in addressing protection issues in crisis-affected communities. The networks in Malakal have been instrumental in providing peace, protection, and security within their communities.
However, addressing challenges such as transportation could enhance their effectiveness in addressing and mitigating protection concerns.
CBPNs remains critical, not only in Malakal but in all crisis-affected communities, to create sustainable and long-term solutions to protection and security concerns.
