Defence for Children International - Sierra Leone

DCI is a global movement for children that was formed in July 1979, the International Year of the Child. It was created as a response to the UN plea, calling to remedy the lack of international bodies that advocate for the rights of children. The first important achievement was its participation in the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The headquarters of the organization are located in Geneva, Switzerland.

DCI-SL is the Sierra Leone chapter of Defence for Children International (DCI). As a local chapter, DCI-SL is independent and raises its own fund for its operations. DCI-SL develops its programs based on the core principles and values of DCI. Our team adapts the DCI mandate to the realities faced by children and youth in Sierra Leone.

In all of its activities, DCI-SL advocates and monitors the proper implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Sierra Leone. The main trust of DCI-SL's work is to provide psychosocial and legal support to children in conflict with the law, child victims of human rights violation and other abuses as well as children and youth at risk of coming in conflict or contact with the law (e.g. street children, girl sex workers and out of school children).