Safeguarding begins with protection, but it cannot end there. This was the central message of a recent webinar that invited participants to rethink safeguarding not simply as a system of policies and procedures, but as a journey toward healing, restoration, accountability and cultural transformation. Bringing together reflections from Sr. Dr. Mercy, Sr. Dr. Mary and Fr. Dr. Daka, the webinar explored what it means to create communities where children, vulnerable adults and survivors of abuse are not only protected from

On June 16, 1976, thousands of black schoolchildren in Soweto took to the streets to protest the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction, a seemingly linguistic issue that served as the final straw for a generation oppressed by a system designed to keep them subservient. The 1976 Soweto Uprising, commemorated annually as the Day of the African Child, was not an isolated incident but a violent eruption in a long history of injustice. In commemoration of this pivotal

Shared Responsibility in Safeguarding is seen as a top priority today, but in many parts of Africa, faith communities play a key role in making it work. At a recent Jesuit Centre for Safeguarding in Africa webinar, speakers stressed that those who are most trusted have the biggest responsibility to protect others. This is especially true in Africa, where religious institutions are some of the most trusted and accessible groups in society. Faith communities are places for worship, education, healthcare,

On 12 November 2025, the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) hosted an essential webinar on “Case Management in Safeguarding: Experiences, Challenges, and Recommendations.” The session was led by Fr. Benoît Malvaux, S.J., Procurator General of the Society of Jesus, who offered a deep, structured, and practical exposition on how the Church handles allegations of sexual abuse—focusing on canonical legislation, procedural steps, and the African Context. This article offers a detailed summary of his presentation. It highlights key takeaways

Safeguarding in the African Church has emerged as one of the most urgent and uncomfortable conversations within the African Church today. While many still associate the term only with sexual misconduct, the reality is far wider and far more painful. In the words of Fr. Cornelius, safeguarding reaches into every space: our families, our workplaces, and most critically, our worshipping communities. What makes safeguarding particularly complex is that the wounds it seeks to address are mostly invisible. Unlike illnesses such

From 3–7 October 2025, safeguarding leaders from Jesuit Provinces across Africa and Madagascar gathered at Africama House in Nairobi for the Provincial Safeguarding Officers’ (PSOs) Conference. This annual event has become a cornerstone for evaluating progress, identifying persistent challenges, and charting a concrete way forward for safeguarding in schools, parishes, formation houses, and social ministries. The 2025 conference painted a clear picture: safeguarding in the region is no longer a peripheral compliance obligation. It is steadily becoming a cultural expectation;

Safeguarding has become one of the most urgent and necessary conversations of our time. Rooted in gospel values, Catholic social teaching, and the inherent dignity of every human person, safeguarding is about more than policies or procedures—it is about cultivating a culture of love, protection, justice, and accountability in all our communities. At its heart, safeguarding ensures that every person—whether a child, a vulnerable adult, or even a professional such as a priest, doctor, or teacher—feels safe, respected, and valued.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults is not just a policy; it is a moral responsibility and a vital part of justice in Empowering Communities. In Africa, where many cases of abuse and neglect occur in homes, schools, churches, and neighborhoods, the urgency of child protection is undeniable. This reality makes child protection in Africa a pressing priority, calling for immediate and stronger grassroots safeguarding initiatives. By empowering families, faith groups, schools, and local networks, safeguarding can be rooted in daily

From July 14th to 19th, 2025, the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru hosted a profoundly transformative Safeguarding Training, Toward a safer church at St. Mary’s Pastoral Centre, facilitated by the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCSA). Sixteen participants, including priests, religious, and other pastoral agents, came together to deepen their understanding of safeguarding and commit to fostering a Church environment that is safe, accountable, and healing for all. The training began with strong affirmations of purpose. In the opening remarks,

Opening Remarks by Fr. Dennis Today’s discussion on child wellness invites us to reflect deeply—on why it matters and what role each of us plays. Children are the future, and their well‑being shapes tomorrow. UNICEF’s foundational work (2007) highlighted key aspects: material needs, education, health, behaviour, relationships, and self-perception. Yet too often, family and peer support—foundations of a child’s world—are under-addressed, leaving gaps in safeguarding when systems fail. Pope Francis urges us to act—starting with strong families and stable communities.

The 2024/2025 academic year at Hekima University College marked a remarkable milestone towards Empowered Voices: 161 religious sisters were fully sponsored by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, joining a one-year theology certificate programme supported by the Hilton‑Hekima Sisters Scholars Initiative. This initiative, rooted in Ignatian pedagogy, has provided these sisters with theological education and empowered them to become theologians and safeguarding agents, thereby significantly impacting their lives and the communities they serve. The programme trains religious women—and some courageous laywomen—in theology and

In a recent webinar titled Safeguarding Young People in Consecrated Life: Experiences, Challenges, and the Way Forward, Fr. Noel Nwadike, SJ, delivered a powerful and profoundly human presentation on the realities young people face in religious life. The webinar was a heartfelt exploration of the joys, struggles, and traumas experienced by young people in consecrated life. Fr. Nwadike emphasized the importance of moving beyond theoretical discussions to truly listen, understand, and act justly in protecting the vulnerable. A Personal Note: