This is a paid opportunity. In order to be eligible to apply for this project, you need to be part of the Omdena community and have finished at least one AI Innovation Challenge.

You can find our upcoming AI Innovation Challenges at https://omdena.com/projects. 

The problem

The project aims to address the critical and multifaceted issue of child protection in Kenya, a concern underscored by widespread instances of child labor, trafficking, and abuse. Despite ongoing efforts, child protection mechanisms in the country face numerous challenges, including significant gaps in the reporting, response, and support systems for children who have experienced violence or exploitation. The backdrop of these issues is a complex interplay of socio-economic factors, including severe educational disruptions caused by environmental crises like drought, which further exacerbate the vulnerability of children to exploitation and abuse.

In Kenya, a substantial number of children are not in school, with the 2023 Child Protection Assessment by Save the Children highlighting that 29% of children aged 5-17 are affected, primarily due to drought. This lack of access to education significantly increases the risk of child labor, as over half of the households in regions like West Pokot and Marsabit involve children in labor activities for up to 10 hours daily to supplement family income. Moreover, the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence against children is alarmingly high, with a 2019 survey reporting that 23% of girls and 12% of boys aged 13-17 experienced sexual abuse, and nearly half of females and over half of males aged 18-24 reported experiencing violence in childhood.

The impact of these challenges on child welfare and protection in Kenya is profound. The involvement of children in labor not only deprives them of their right to education but also exposes them to various forms of exploitation and abuse. The high rates of sexual abuse and violence against children have long-lasting effects on their physical and psychological well-being, hindering their development and future prospects. Furthermore, the current child protection mechanisms are insufficiently equipped to effectively report, respond to, and support survivors of violence, indicating a critical need for improvement across all sectors.

This project, through a comprehensive literature review, data analysis, and collaboration with organizations like Omdena and Save the Children (STC), seeks to identify the gaps and challenges in Kenya’s current child protection practices. By accessing recent studies and reports on child protection and exploring global AI applications in this field, the initiative aims to uncover innovative solutions that can enhance the effectiveness of child protection mechanisms. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of more robust reporting mechanisms, response services, and comprehensive support systems for violence survivors, thereby improving child protection outcomes in Kenya.

The project goals

The primary aim of this project is to strengthen child protection mechanisms in Kenya by leveraging AI and collaborative research. This initiative seeks to address the urgent need for an updated, comprehensive understanding of child protection efforts within the country, identifying gaps and challenges in current practices through a detailed literature review and data analysis. By collaborating with Omdena and Save the Children (STC) for enhanced data collection and survey conduction, and exploring global AI applications in child protection, the project aims to innovate and improve upon existing mechanisms. The project will unfold in the following planned phases:

• Literature Review on Child Protection Mechanisms in Kenya: An extensive review of existing literature to understand the current landscape of child protection mechanisms, providing a solid foundation for the project’s research and development efforts.
• Data Analysis to Identify Gaps and Challenges: Through rigorous data analysis, the project will identify gaps and challenges in Kenya’s current child protection practices, aiming to pinpoint areas where AI can make a significant impact.
• Access to Recent Studies and Reports: Securing access to the latest studies and reports on child protection in Kenya will ensure that the project’s findings and developments are informed by the most current research and insights available.
• Collaboration for Data Collection and Survey Conduction: Partnering with Omdena and STC, the project will undertake data collection and survey efforts to gather firsthand information on child protection needs and challenges in Kenya, enriching the project’s data pool for more accurate analysis and solution development.
• Exploration of Global AI Applications in Child Protection: Investigating how AI is applied in child protection efforts globally will provide context and inspiration for developing innovative AI solutions tailored to Kenya’s specific needs and challenges.

Through these phases, the project aims to deliver a comprehensive report that not only highlights the current state of child protection mechanisms in Kenya but also proposes AI-driven solutions to enhance these efforts. This initiative is poised to make a significant contribution to child protection, offering new perspectives and tools to safeguard vulnerable populations more effectively. By laying the groundwork for the application of AI in child protection, the project aspires to inspire further innovations and improvements in the field, ultimately leading to stronger, more effective child protection mechanisms in Kenya and beyond.

**More details will be shared with the designated team.

Team, Hours, and Timeline: 1 Data Analyst; Part-time (20 hrs); 2 weeks.

Why join? The uniqueness of Omdena Top Talent Projects

Top Talent opportunities come as a natural next step after participating in Omdena’s AI Innovation Challenges.

Everyone in the community is eligible to participate once they have shown the relevant skills based on the merit of involvement in past Omdena challenges and the community.

If you are looking for the next challenge after participating in one or more Omdena AI Innovation Challenges, then we believe you have made the right choice! With a healthy, pressured environment, you will be pushed to contribute, learn and grow even more.

Find more information on how an Omdena Top Talent Program works