From Vulnerability to Protection: The Women Who Strengthened Child Safety in Kairouan
From Vulnerability to Protection: The Women Who Strengthened Child Safety in Kairouan
From Vulnerability to Protection:
The Women Who Strengthened Child Safety in Kairouan
Location
Kairouan, Tunisia
Focus
Reintegration
IMplemented by
Ifrikya Center for Common Ground (ICCG)
In Kairouan, the “Mon École Attractive, Ouverte et Inclusive” project turned early warning into early action — equipping women from the community to identify risks, support vulnerable children, and prevent school dropout and violence before they escalated, creating safer and more inclusive learning environments.
In a small village outside Kairouan, a quiet shift began when schools stopped being places where problems surfaced late and became places where problems were noticed early.
Through the “Mon École Attractive, Ouverte et Inclusive” project, women from the community were trained as trusted focal points linked to local schools. Many were mothers, neighbours, or relatives of students—people children already trusted. For the first time, they had the tools and support to act when something felt wrong.
When two orphaned brothers showed signs of anger and withdrawal after a violent incident in their neighbourhood, a female focal point noticed the change before it turned into school violence or dropout. She connected them to psychosocial support and stayed close to the family. The boys remained in school—and the spiral toward revenge stopped before it began.
In another school, a young girl on the verge of dropping out due to persistent bullying was identified early. Instead of disappearing from the classroom, she received counselling and support. She stayed. Her confidence returned.
For the women involved, the change was personal as well. Once silent observers, they became recognised protectors of children and mediators in crisis. As one focal point reflected:
I no longer wait for things to explode. I see the signs early—and I know I can act.”
— Woman, Focal Point
By strengthening trust around schools and giving communities the confidence to intervene early, Madrasty helped turn everyday care into prevention—protecting children not with force, but with attention, dialogue and presence.