IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES IN ENFORCING CHILD MAINTENACE PROVISIONS IN MADINA

ABSTRACT

The research was birthed out of a critical observation of the high incidence of non-maintenance

of children whose parents are separated. It was imperative that a research be conducted to

identify the challenges associated with the implementation of child maintenance provisions so

that such findings may be used by policy actors to initiate the needed interventions as a proper

implementation process will subsequently lead to the curbing of this issue. It was also imperative

that this research was conducted along gender lines because our patriarchal way of life which

makes fathers bread winners whiles mothers are care-givers and this arrangement as reinforced

by our laws does not change even after separation of the couples. The specific objectives of the

study were: (1) To review existing policies and laws on child maintenance, (2) To identify

challenges faced by child maintenance institutions, and (3) To identify challenges faced by

custodial mothers who assess the various institutions. A qualitative research design was used in

this study, which included six key informants interviews with respondents selected from four

institutions, namely: The La-Nkwatanang Madina Municipal Assembly, Department of Social

Welfare, Panel members of The Family Tribunal of Madina District Magistrate Court as well as

Madina, Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit. These were purposively selected as

samples for the study. In addition, fifteen custodial mothers; comprising five women from each

of the direct service institutions were also interviewed. Main challenges identified by the study

were inadequacy of resource, lack of coordination, lack of capacity building as well as major

gaps in the various laws. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that

resources should be made available to facilitate the work of service providers as well as periodic

capacity building for service providers.