As we celebrate Children’s Day 2025, we’re reminded that every child is a repository of dreams, hopes, and potentials. The theme “Children: Our Future and Our Responsibility” is apt, emphasizing our collective duty to nurture and protect them. However, many African children face significant challenges in realizing their fundamental rights.
Challenges Facing African Children
1. Poverty and Lack of Access to Basic Needs: Over half of children aged 0-17 live in poverty, hindering access to healthcare, education, and nutrition.
2. Child Labor and Exploitation: Children are subjected to forced labor, trafficking, and armed conflict.
3. Inadequate Enforcement of Child Protection Laws: Corruption and inconsistent enforcement leave children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
4. Limited Access to Education: Many African children lack access to quality education, with high dropout rates and limited infrastructure.
5. Healthcare Challenges: Limited access to healthcare services, high malnutrition rates, and vulnerability to diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS.
Alarming Statistics
– 19 grave violations against children occur daily in West and Central Africa (UNICEF).
– 57.5 million children in West and Central Africa need humanitarian assistance (UNICEF).
– 2,500 attacks on schools were verified in Africa between 2016 and 2021 (UN).
Efforts to Address These Issues
– Prioritize children’s rights and ensure access to quality education, healthcare, and safe environments.
– Strengthen laws and enforcement mechanisms to protect children from exploitation, abuse, and violence.
– Support children’s emotional and psychological well-being.
– Empower children with skills and opportunities for growth.
Successful Initiatives and Policies
– Birth registration initiatives like the “No Name Campaign” and Nigeria’s Birth Registration Drive.
– Child protection laws like Kano State’s Child Protection Law and Zanzibar’s Children’s Act.
– Education initiatives like removing bans on pregnant students and the Safe Schools Declaration.
A Call to Action
Let’s prioritize our children! They are the beacons of hope for a brighter future. We must work together to:
– Provide access to quality education and healthcare.
– Protect them from exploitation, abuse, and violence.
– Support their emotional and psychological well-being.
– Empower them with skills and opportunities for growth.
Specific Steps You Can Take
– Raise awareness about children’s rights.
– Support organizations like African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and UNICEF.
– Empower children by creating inclusive spaces and supporting child-led initiatives.
– Advocate for policy change and support child rights policies.
Empowering Women, Empowering Children
Increasing women’s representation in decision-making roles can promote children’s rights and protection. Let’s support the Gender Bills and initiatives that empower women and children.
The Time is Now!!!
Thank you
Amanda Demechi- Asagba Esq
President
African Women Lawyers Association ( AWLA)
27/5/2025
The post A Reflection on Children’s Rights on Children’s Day 2025 appeared first on The African Women Lawyers Association.
