Using a systems perspective to examine child protection systems and practice

A scoping review on child abandonment and institutionalisation in the Maghreb

Bibliographic Data

ID14646463
AuthorsFadi Baghdadi (0000-0002-3770-7611, Swansea University, corresponding author), Mary Elizabeth Rauktis (0000-0002-0161-9337, University of Pittsburgh), Christopher Hands (0000-0002-3171-4191, Auckland City Hospital), Ann John (0000-0002-5657-6995, Swansea University), Ashrafunnesa Khanom (0000-0002-5735-6601, Swansea University), Sana El Mhamdi (0000-0003-3375-8400, University of Monastir), Abdellah Soussi (0000-0001-5013-8575, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale), Helen Snooks (0000-0003-0173-8843, Swansea University)
Year2024
Volume157
Pages107382
Publication date2024-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren and Youth Services Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0190-7409 • E-ISSN: 1873-7765
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107382
OpenAlexW4389328801
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited38

The Maghreb (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco (including Western Sahara), Tunisia) has high rates of child maltreatment and child abandonment, leading to high rates of child institutionalisation. This review aims to provide an estimate of the prevalence of children in institutions in the countries of the Maghreb and to compare and contrast the child protection systems in the region. Using a scoping review approach, we identified 45 relevant studies from databases including Africa-Wide Information, Academic Search Premiere, Policy file Index, Google Scholar, and Google. Estimated children in institutions were as follows: Algeria 550,000, Libya 80-145,000, Mauritania 45,850, Morocco 471,006, and Tunisia 140,000. Common elements included limited child protection resources, lack of transparent databases, limited separation between religion and state, Shariah's influence on social and cultural norms, and a kafala system, an Islamically prescribed from of permanent guardianship for abandoned children. Mauritania and Tunisia had dedicated child protection codes, and all countries except Libya reported to the CRC. The literature indicates that components of the child protection systems in the countries of the Maghreb are fragmented with competing purposes, prioritising existing communitarian cultural mores over child protection. High rates of child abandonment and institutionalisation in the region result from inadequate child safeguarding structures and the stigmatisation of unmarried mothers and their children. Kafala, is a common element of Maghrebian child protection systems, with little alternative care provision, such as foster care. The scoping review highlights the opportunity to develop and adapt existing child safeguarding and alternative care structures and practice between countries of the Maghreb. Intra-regional research is urgently needed to facilitate changes and reduce rates of child abandonment and institutionalisation

Child protection · Economic growth · Geography · Institutionalisation · Legal guardian · Political science · Safeguarding · Social protection · Global Maternal and Child Health · Homelessness and Social Issues · Law · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Nursing

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