The Ministry of Interior, in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has launched an interprovincial workshop in Lambaréné, Gabon, aimed at enhancing the capacity of law enforcement and social workers to prevent child violence and protect children's rights. The three-day workshop, which started on November 10, 2026, brings together officers, judicial police agents, and social workers from various provinces.
The objective of the workshop is to strengthen participants' skills in preventing child violence and protecting children's rights through increased collaboration between police forces and child protection actors, including UNICEF. The workshop's opening ceremony was attended by Jean-Benoît Bekale, Governor of the Moyen-Ogooué province, who welcomed participants and encouraged them to actively engage in the discussions.
Governor Bekale expressed gratitude to facilitators from Libreville for their availability and service, which will contribute to the quality of exchanges and achievement of the workshop's objectives. He also acknowledged the presence of Rose Pétunia Evouna, UNICEF's child protection specialist, for her commitment to promoting and protecting children's rights.
The Governor emphasized that the workshop reflects a collective responsibility and shared commitment to addressing one of the most concerning issues in society: child violence. He noted that acts of violence against children continue to manifest in various settings, including families, schools, public spaces, and communities, causing physical, emotional, and psychological harm to children.
Jean Philémon Ella Ndong Assa, Director of Provincial Public and Urban Security of the Moyen-Ogooué police, recalled that this workshop is the second of its kind, following one organized in April 2026 in Port-Gentil. He attributed the workshop's organization to cooperation between the Gabonese State and UNICEF.
During the first day, Rose Pétunia Evouna presented on the mechanisms established by UNICEF to ensure child protection. She emphasized that any punishment inflicted on a child must have an educational purpose and encouraged participants to contact the UNICEF hotline (1412) in cases of child violence.
The workshop brings together participants from the Moyen-Ogooué, Ngounié, and Nyanga provinces, aiming to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing in preventing child violence and protecting children's rights. The initiative is part of a broader effort to address child protection issues in Gabon and promote a culture of respect for children's rights.
Key points
- The workshop aims to enhance the capacity of law enforcement and social workers to prevent child violence and protect children's rights.
- The initiative is a collaboration between the Gabonese government and UNICEF to address child protection issues in Gabon.
- The workshop provides a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among participants from various provinces.
