Empowering children and women in the defence, promotion and advocacy of their rights and in the care of the environment.

The project “Empowering children and women in the defence, promotion and advocacy of their rights and in the care of the environment” was designed to strengthen key dimensions of children’s rights, women’s empowerment, gender equality, civic participation and environmental stewardship in school and community settings.

Bolivia has received numerous recommendations under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process concerning the protection of children’s rights, prevention of child labour, gender-based violence and participation of adolescents. The Marist Brothers of Bolivia identified a high-priority need: to embed rights-based education, child mediation, youth leadership and ecological awareness within school communities in vulnerable contexts. The intervention responded to multiple, intersecting vulnerabilities: children at risk, women victims of violence, adolescents excluded from meaningful participation, parents lacking knowledge of their children’s rights, and environmental degradation in rural or peri-urban school catchments.

The project focused on schools and neighborhoods with populations in vulnerable conditions, where children often work, families struggle with economic vulnerability, and access to safe learning environments is limited. The initiative sought to build awareness, skills and collective action to defend human rights and promote sustainable development. The project’s overall goal was to empower children, adolescents, teachers, parents and community members to defend and promote the rights of children and women, while encouraging care for the environment. It sought to develop the capacity of schools and communities to respond to violence, strengthen leadership among young people, promote gender equality, and introduce ecological initiatives such as school gardens and reforestation.

Each activity was designed to promote inclusion, participation and social responsibility. The approach combined training, awareness-raising and practical action. By the end of the project, the following achievements were recorded:

• 60 teachers were trained to become facilitators of school mediation, helping students to resolve conflicts peacefully and build more inclusive environments;
• 259 adolescent and youth leaders took part in courses and then promoted initiatives in their schools on the protection of children’s rights;
• 360 teachers and 890 student leaders were involved in follow-up activities, putting new methods into practice within their institutions.

 Parents also played an important role:

• 401 of them joined school initiatives and helped to educate other parents about child protection;
• a group of 100 working children were directly involved in advocacy initiatives, learning to share their experiences and advocate for their rights;
• 167 men and 944 women trained on gender equality positive masculinities and mutual respect;
  
• the environmental component was visible in ten schools that created community gardens, while 5,000 seedlings were planted for reforestation.

Finally, a national report on child labour in Bolivia was prepared and shared with local authorities to inform public policy. These figures demonstrate both the scope of participation and the diversity of actions carried out. The project created long-term change by turning schools into spaces for participation and protection. Teachers and students began to use mediation as a tool for conflict resolution, improving relationships and fostering empathy. Adolescents discovered their capacity to lead and influence positive change, while parents became partners in education and protection. The training on gender issues opened new dialogue within families and communities, encouraging a culture of equality and respect. Environmental activities helped link the idea of rights with the care of the common home, bringing practical learning to everyday life.

The preparation of a national report on child labour was a major step towards advocacy, giving visibility to a reality that is often ignored and strengthening collaboration between civil society and public authorities. Sustaining these processes after the project ends remains a challenge. To ensure continuity, it is essential that schools integrate mediation and protection into their regular programmes and allocate resources for follow-up training. Engaging families requires constant communication and culturally appropriate approaches. Environmental initiatives need care and monitoring to ensure long-term impact. Work on gender equality must be consistent and supported by clear institutional policies. The project also highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring and data collection, to measure change and adapt strategies to local realities. The results demonstrate that when education includes participation, equality and care for the environment, it becomes a powerful driver of transformation.

The model developed in Bolivia can be adapted to other contexts, particularly where children face social vulnerability or exclusion. The experience shows the value of local ownership, strong partnerships and coordinated action among schools, families, civil society and faith-based organisations. Ensuring sustainability will depend on maintaining collaboration between the Marist network, government bodies and community groups, and on integrating rights-based education within national education policies. The project implemented by the Marist Brothers in Bolivia, with the support of FMSI and Misean Cara, offers a concrete example of how education can become a platform for empowerment and social change.

Through training, participation and environmental action, thousands of people gained knowledge, confidence and hope. The experience leaves a legacy of leadership, awareness and community commitment, demonstrating that defending the rights of children and women is inseparable from building a fairer and more sustainable society. The project team extends its appreciation to all participating schools, teachers, students, parents and partners who made this initiative possible, and to Misean Cara for its invaluable support in promoting education and human rights in Bolivia.