With this new initiative, we aim to support early childhood development and enhance the health and well-being of premature and low birth weight infants.
We do this using the Kangaroo Mother Care method and promoting the use of ergonomic baby carriers. The benefits of this approach include better thermal regulation, improved breastfeeding, enhanced neurological development in babies, and reduced stress, contributing to the physical and emotional well-being of both the baby and the caregiver.
In Cartagena, high levels of poverty and inequality continue to severely impact maternal and child health. Despite a reduction in maternal mortality rates, the prevalence of low birth weight has increased. Our project targets vulnerable families, providing primary caregivers with training in the Kangaroo Mother Care method. This encourages skin-to-skin contact and ensures the proper use of ergonomic baby carriers, fostering a nurturing bond between mother and child.
Additionally, we will offer complementary workshops on sexual and reproductive health, with a focus on gender, to further empower these families. Our goal is not only to improve the health outcomes of babies and their families but also to generate evidence on the effectiveness of babywearing in vulnerable environments. This evidence will be crucial in advocating for its inclusion in public health policies focused on child health.
Context:
Sexual violence violates children’s rights, damages their health, welfare and development, and increases their vulnerability to further violence. Despite this, it continues to be a major ‘silent’ problem which is not being addressed as a national priority.
The harmful effects of sexual violence can endure over generations. A child born as a result of sexual violence can experience rejection and alienation at home as a result of the severe psychological trauma experienced by their mother.
The trauma inflicted by such abuse can hinder children’s ability to forge healthy relationships. It also increases the likelihood that they may perpetuate the cycle of abuse into adulthood. In Colombia, it heightens the risk of their involvement with armed groups.
The current situation in Colombia:
The majority of children who experience sexual violence come from the lowest income groups living in slums on the outskirts of the cities or in isolated rural communities. The abuse is usually either at the hands of a member of their own family or the criminal gangs that control their neighbourhood.
According to the country’s first-ever report on child abuse published in 2019, nearly 42% of young Colombians have been victims of physical, sexual or psychological abuse as a child. Between January and August 2023, the police registered over 8,000 sexual crimes against minors. And this is despite the significant underreporting of these issues. The Ombudsman’s Office registered more than 50,000 cases of sexual crimes over the last five years, however, it is estimated that, in reality, this figure could be as high as 200,000 per year.
Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a significant problem in Colombia. Between 2020 and 2023, 1,264 children entered a process to re-establish their rights due to having been involved in sex trafficking. Organisations working in this field have estimated that over 35,000 children are involved in CSEC in Colombia, with Bogotá being identified as the region with the highest rates of CSEC.
