Nasanga joined colleagues from Kenya, Agnes Mwendwa, Halyesus Tsehay from Ethiopia and Agot Alier from South Sudan to urge the leaders to particularly implement IGAD Child Policy Framework
A Ugandan school girl, Sanitah Nasanga has joined others in the
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) regional economic community
to make and implement policies that foster the right of the children.
Nasanga joined colleagues from Kenya, Agnes Mwendwa, Halyesus
Tsehay from Ethiopia and Agot Alier from South Sudan to urge the leaders to
particularly implement IGAD Child Policy Framework.
Nasanga and others were participating in a vertical event as
countries in IGAD joined the rest of Africa to mark the day of the African
Child.
The Day of the African Child (DAC) was launched by the
Assembly of Heads of State of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1991
to be commemorated on 16 June each year.
The day is used to pay tribute to the 1976 student uprising in
Soweto, South Africa, which resulted in the killings of students who
demonstrated against the poor quality of education they received and demanding
to be taught in their own language by the apartheid regime.
This marks IGAD’s first region-wide celebration, led by the Health and Social Development Division in collaboration with Save the Children. It comes on the heels of the adoption of the IGAD Child Policy Framework, reaffirming our commitment to protecting and empowering children
The theme "Planning and
budgeting for children's rights: progress since 2010". The
theme is aimed at assessing the level of progress achieved in mainstreaming a
children’s issues in planning and budgeting by Member States of the AU and
further encourage States to assess and reform their mechanisms of budgeting and
planning to adopt a child rights-based approach.
Ministers responsible
for Children’s Affairs from IGAD Member States in December 2024 endorsed the
IGAD Child Policy Framework, pledging to advance child welfare and safeguarding
children’s rights across the region.
The Ministers, Member States committed to a range
of actions, including the development and enforcement of comprehensive
children’s acts, national child policies, action plans, and strategies.
The IGAD Child Policy Framework is a
regional framework aimed at advancing the rights and well-being of children
within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region.
It focuses on concrete strategies and actions for member
states to adopt in various policy areas related to children, including child
protection, health, education, and social protection.
Nasanga used the occasion to voice concern related to the
quality of education in Uganda and other states under IGAD. The other states include
Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.
“I think the IGAD child policy should make sure that in in every
state, there is a promotion of access to quality education. I mean investing in
education by giving requirements to other children” she suggested.
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“So I kindly request to the IGAD child policy to ensure that
the children in the IGAD region can access quality education because some
parents are very poor” pleaded Nasanga.
The IGAD Child Policy Framework is a
regional framework is aligned with the African Charter on the Rights and
Welfare of the Child.
Nasanga also urged for mechanism to ensure that children are
actively involved in consultations when making policies related education and
generally children rights.
“These voices need to be heard because the IGAD child
policy empathizes this by promoting inclusiveness, child-centered approaches to
development. I’m happy that the policy can address cross-border challenges like
child trafficking” she added.
Agnes
Mwendwa from Kenya said the IGAD Child Policy Framework should be popularized in
all countries and that the countries should make sure that it is implemented.
“We should feel its impact when we come back to the ground. So
when you make implementation, make sure that they reach the highest of each and
every country” she urged.
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Halyesus Tshey expressed hope that once effectively implemented,
the policy will ensure that no child is left behind.
“Especially children living in vulnerable situations like
poverty displacement and conflict in our region” said Tsehay from Ethiopia.
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Agot Alier from South Sudan expressed optimism that the IGAD
child policy was aligned to the African charter on the rights and welfare of
the child.
“Not forgetting the UN Convention on the rights of the child.
And this particular document will help the children t affirm their rights” said
Agot whose country is under conflict.
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In 2021, Africa had 650 million children and in 2023 it was
estimated that Africa has 40% under 15 years population which is higher than
the global average of 25%.
It was further noted that by 2055, Africa will be home to
around 1 billion children, or 40 percent of the world's population.
This demographic dynamic of Africa calls for increased
investment on children to build a better future for the continent.
The African
Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), the African Committee
of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC/Committee) has observed
that that
the demography of Africa calls for a compelling action to align planning and
budgeting with child rights approach.
ACERWC/Committee also noted
that Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030 cannot
be achieved without sufficient investment on children.
The Committee noted the significant strides achieved by Member
States of the African Union through legislative and other measures. To date 51
Member States have ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of
the Child. However, the implementation of the Charter is challenged by several
factors including weak institutions and lack of resources.
It said African Countries tend to spend more on other priorities such
as military and peace and security which result in less investment in children.
