The establishment of child rights clubs in schools is being used by most child rights advocacy organization as a strategy to promote the rights and welfare of children. The main objective of this initiative is to give children a platform to participate in issues affecting them and create awareness on their rights and welfare. They also share information among themselves.

ANPPCAN Kenya spearheaded the establishment of child rights clubs in various institutions, and especially schools, in Nairobi and Siaya district.

In an interview with teachers from a school in Ugunja division it was found out that child rights violation was very rampant in the school before training and establishment of a child rights club in the school. There was minimal awareness on the rights of children and no knowledge on handling cases of child abuse and indiscipline.

A teacher from another school in the same division pointed out that the introduction of child rights clubs reinforced the initiative that had already been put in place by the school management.

Through the clubs children participate in advocacy and awareness creation activities. They develop and make presentations on issues affecting children through poems, plays, drama and songs. Children make decisions on the themed activities to be undertaken and the teachers facilitate.

Among the clubs achievements is enhancement of positive behavior change especially in the wake of the ban on corporal punishment. The teachers have successfully adopted the guidelines on alternatives to corporal punishment developed by ANPPCAN Kenya.

The children are regularly enlightened on their responsibilities and rights; hence they freely share information concerning their welfare with teachers and parents. Active participation of the clubs in various functions has brought in recognition of the schools within and without the community.

As a result of child rights awareness activities, most pupils perform well academically in subjects/topics in relation to their welfare. For instance; in essay writing on HIV/AIDS related topics the pupils are able to clearly articulate issues.

There are also reduced cases of sexual abuse in the schools. The children take responsibility of protecting themselves from abuse with teachers and parents playing their role.

The clubs face challenges in implementing their activities. They face resistance from some members of public who perceive the activities of advocacy on child rights as against societal norms. There is still the belief that children should be seen and not heard. This requires further vigorous child rights awareness creation by the stakeholders.

The increase in poverty levels also compromises the rights of children, thus negatively impacting on the efforts of the clubs. With lack of basic needs it becomes hard to advocate for the rights of children especially the right to life and survival. Children thus get involved in income generation which exposes them to abuse.

Lack of sufficient resources prohibits club members from touring and interacting with their counterparts from other areas hence they are not exposed to issues affecting their peers.

Resource mobilization is an integral part of improving the impact of the clubs. The clubs can participate in income generating activities such as poultry farming to enable them get funds to expand their activities. The clubs need to get more exposure by sharing ideas with other clubs/groups and participating in national forums.