Child protection case management system in Mandalay region, Myanmar (2014-2017)

Abstract

Although Myanmar become a State Party to the 'Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)' in 1991, many of Myanmar's vulnerable children are still victims of multiple violations such as violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Through one of the eight flagship programmes stated in the integrated social protection system (ISPS), the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) under the Ministry of Social Welfare and Resettlement initiated the national social work case management system in 27 townships across the country in 2015 and expanded to additional 10 townships in 2016 and other 9 townships in 2017. The aim of this research was to study the child protection case management system in Myanmar, emphasizing the challenges in Mandalay Region. For research methodology, the research uses the qualitative approach with key informant interviews to provide a multi-perspective understanding of how the case management system is working in practice and responding to individual cases. However, NGOs are critical for efficient and effective functioning of the system traditions cultures and beliefs in community and parenting practices, coordination gap between inter-ministries, inadequate human capacity and insufficient financial resources remain the primary challenge for the effective functioning of child protection case management systems in Myanmar. The findings reveal that this system could be successful if it is applied with a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach linking closely, for example, with education, health, and criminal justice systems. Moreover, social work case management is applied as an alternative care option, provision of adequate care for children in contact with the law, and redress of specific child protection issues like sexual abuse, domestic violence, trafficking and child labour.