Championing the child in Myanmar
Highlights
- ACU graduate Catherine Middleton works with communities in northern Myanmar to protect children's rights and improve their wellbeing through education and support.
- She helps train local Child Champions who empower communities to prevent child exploitation, support vulnerable children and promote safer environments.
- Her story shows how one person’s commitment can create lasting change by strengthening communities and giving children a voice.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. But Catherine Middleton has discovered that when it comes to children’s rights, sometimes just one person is enough to get the ball rolling.
After years of civil war, children in northern Myanmar face poverty, poor access to education, and malnutrition. The very idea of child rights can be, literally, a foreign concept. And children are often on the receiving end of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
ACU graduate Catherine Middleton works with International Needs Australia (INA), a non-government organisation that engages with local groups such as the Karen Women’s Empowerment Group to educate villagers in Myanmar’s remote north on the importance of children’s rights.
“The work focuses on developing community-based ways to prevent, identify, address and refer cases of child rights violations,” said Catherine. “The aim is better health, wellbeing and educational outcomes for the country’s youngest and most vulnerable.”
The difference one person can make
One of the project activities is to train local adults to become Child Champions. Child Champions are educated in child rights, protection and Myanmar law to have a better understanding of their responsibilities as parents and community members.
They take a lead role in teaching others in their village these same responsibilities. Champions organise activities such as supervising safe spaces where children can go to play games and sports or read together. They also educate children about their rights, as well as teach them positive morals and values.
Both men and women are encouraged to become Champions. The project has a near 50/50 split of genders, something Catherine says is critical for its success.
“In communities all over the world, it is usually left to women to look after children and stand up for their rights. But with the way systems are set up, men generally have more power than women.
"With this imbalance, nothing changes. The men need to hear these messages and take equal responsibility for the rights of children in their community,” she said.
Another important responsibility of the Champions is to provide a safe referral point for locals if there are any abuses of child rights.
