This session presents emerging evidence from a multi-country cluster RCT in Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe showing that faith driven parenting interventions reduce harsh discipline and strengthen positive parenting at scale.
Governments and World Vision partners will explore how faith leaders and communities—trusted, far reaching, and deeply embedded in communities—can function as public health infrastructure for preventing violence against children. Kenya’s Department of Children’s Services representative will share lessons on coordination, safeguarding, and policy alignment and also lead a discussion on how faith actors can be integrated into existing coordination structures.
Through an interactive mapping exercise, participants will identify opportunities to integrate faith actors into national child protection strategies, action plans, and service delivery platforms. The session will equip participants with a practical roadmap for scaling parenting support through faith networks and trained faith leaders, supported by a policy brief outlining standards, governance mechanisms, and investment considerations.
Dr. Lisseth Rojas-Flores, Fuller Seminary
Alex Masibo Mukhwana, World Vision Kenya
Vivienne Mang’oli, National Focal Kenya’s Violence Against Children Committee (VACC) at the Department of Children’s Services in Kenya
1) 15 minute briefing: RCT findings and DCS government reflections on Kenya’s implementation context
2) 10-minute comparative insights: based on Ghana and Zimbabwe RCT findings
3) 25 minute group activity: Participants map faith networks in their own countries and identify policy entry points. 15 minute Slido supported discussion: Barriers, enablers, and commitments to action, prioritizing policy actions for Kenya Audience interaction = ~60% of session time
