‘Children without a family should come out!’: sociocultural barriers affecting the implementation of interventions among orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing vulnerability of children and experiences of childhood violence in many parts of the world have gained traction in academic and policy discourses. In Nigeria, many orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) live in households where they are exploited, violated and potentially dehumanised. Although responses aimed at improving their condition have grown, some interventions are being rendered ineffective. Based on field encounters of project staff, this study explored the sociocultural issues that potentially undermine interventions targeted at OVC in Nigeria. We collected primary qualitative data from 15 organisations drawn from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria using online interview guides and through one Focus Group Discussion with community volunteers who currently work on OVC projects and regularly interact with vulnerable children and their guardians and parents. The findings show that field staff were confronted by sociocultural barriers, at individual, family and community levels, which affect the ways that interventions are carried out in communities. The study discussed the consequences of these obstacles and concluded that they could impact negatively on project staff across the country.