Through a participative diagnostic, a study sponsored by the Terre des hommes NGO in the health districts of Markala and Macina aimed at identifying the most common risks for child protection as well as existing endogenous protection practices. By endogenous protection practices, we mean collective or individual practices that members of the community (families, children, leaders, groups, etc.) develop on their own initiative in order to prevent or reduce the risks for children facing potential dangers. The study, carried out in the 10 towns in the health regions of Macina and Markala, allowed us to identify the main risks and issues in child protection, and in particular to understand the abilities and the resources in these communities for dealing with them. In spite of the restricted scale of the study, the results contribute to our understanding of the rural communities and their perceptions concerning child protection. The study was carried out relatively soon after the food and security crisis in Mali. Because of this it provides information about how the specific context affected children's rights in the two districts.
