16 June, 2017

Africa and the rest of the world commemorate the Day of the African Child (DAC) today June 16, 2017 under the theme, “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for Children in Africa: Accelerating Protection, Empowerment and Equal Opportunity”. The DAC, instituted in 1991, is set aside to celebrate children in Africa, reflect on the challenges these children face and brainstorm on actions to solve these challenges.

In the commemoration of DAC this year, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) focuses on highlighting “the linkages between the SDGs and the African Children’s Charter, with the goal of inspiring States Parties to accelerate efforts towards realizing all children’s rights as provided by the Charter”.

By this, the ACERWC reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the achievement of eight of the seventeen development goals (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16 and 17), which prepare children for the responsibilities of adulthood. More specifically, these goals relate to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies conducive for children; reducing poverty and improving on the health, sanitation and education; and empowering the girl child.

In this light, IHRDA reaffirms its commitment to:

• Continue providing assistance to the ACERWC in its vision to ensure the well-being of children in Africa; and
• Promote strategic litigation, advocacy and capacity-building efforts across the continent in view of improving measures to ensuring the welfare of children.

We also call on African States to show more regard for instruments, action plans and mechanisms put in place by the African Union.