Abstract:
The study was conducted in the Ayawaso East Sub-Metro in Accra. It assessed the
effectiveness of DOVVSU in the promotion and protection of the rights of children. This
purely descriptive study adopted the quantitative and qualitative paradigms using the
mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. Two hundred and twenty (220) respondents
comprising 121 JHS pupils, 22 teachers, 55 parents and 22 DOVVSU officials were
sampled through simple random, proportionate quota, and purposive sampling techniques
for the study. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha =
0.75), and a semi-structured interview guide. The quantitative data were analysed
descriptively and presented in tables as well as figures as frequencies and percentages. The
qualitative data were transcribed and presented in themes as narratives, verbatim or direct
quotations. The study revealed the most prevalent forms of child rights abuses in the area to
include physical and sexual abuse, child labour, child abandonment, and child non maintenance. The DOVVSU rarely organized child rights promotion activities in the area,
and very little was accomplished through advocacy, and education programmes. DOVVSU
was less effective, and coverage of their programmes was relatively low. Inadequate funds
and logistics hindered the effective organization of child rights promotion and protection
activities by the DOVVSU. It was recommended, among others, that the DOVVSU should
be well resourced with funds and logistics. The DOVVSU in partnership with the sub metropolitan assembly, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice,
Department of Social Welfare, the Federation of Women Lawyers, faith-based
organisations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organisations, as well as
media institutions should carry out frequent advocacy and education programmes to
prevent child rights violations. They should arrest and prosecute perpetrators of child rights
violations.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION,
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF
GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE MASTER OF
PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN HUMAN RIGHTS.
OCTOBER, 2015