Session on the protection of minors and of persons in situations of vulnerability for the Central Africa Province-PAC (Bujumbura- Burundi, February 15-26, 2025)
Tuesday February 18, 2025
In developing safeguarding policy, we need to be familiar with the laws of the countries where we carry out our ministry. For this reason, the second day of our session was marked by the presentation of a legal expert in the field of the protection of minors in the Burundian context. In his talk, Maître NDAYISHIMIYE Jean Berchmans shared with us exhaustive information about the protection of children in the Burundian context. He also presented the legal and constitutional framework for child protection. We discovered that Burundi is concerned about the welfare of children at all levels, starting with family structures. All forms of abuse, violence and exploitation of minors are punishable by law.
Despite this arsenal of laws, child abuse persists. Hence the need for a workable and contextual policy for the province: protection, reporting mechanisms , and guidelines for the safety of everyone.
These elements are important for tackling the next stage of our session, which is to draw up a policy for the PAC province (Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo).
The day was enriched by the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by Father Lowrent Kamwaza. ‘As pastoral agents, We are called to be the Noahs of today, ready to be bridges through which the people of God find a safe environment in His Church’.
Safeguarding is our commitment.
By: Alex Manda, M.Afr., Jean de Dieu Meda, M.Afr., Anthony Nahabwe, M.Afr., Edmond Ouedraogo, M.Afr., Lowrent Kamwaza, M.Afr.