African Charter on Rights and Welfare of Child
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The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child is a regional human rights instrument adopted by the member states of the African Union (AU) in 1990. It is designed to protect and promote the rights of children in Africa and ensure their well-being.
Scope and principles: The Charter recognises that children are entitled to special care, protection, and assistance to ensure their full development. It emphasises the principles of non-discrimination, best interests of the child, survival, and development, and the child's right to participate in matters affecting them.
Comprehensive rights: The Charter sets out a comprehensive range of rights for children. It includes civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to life, identity, nationality, education, health, and protection from abuse, exploitation, and harmful practices.
State obligations: The Charter places obligations on member states to protect and promote the rights of children. States are required to adopt legislative, administrative, and other measures to ensure the full realisation of children's rights. They must establish institutions and mechanisms for the protection of children, provide access to education, healthcare, and social services, and take measures to prevent child abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
Participation and parental responsibilities: The Charter emphasises the importance of children's participation in decisions affecting their lives. It recognises the role of parents, guardians, and other caregivers in providing care, guidance, and support to children.
Implementation and monitoring: The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child establishes the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child as the monitoring body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Charter. The Committee receives state reports on their efforts to comply with the Charter, issues recommendations, and provides technical assistance to member states.
Harmonisation with international standards: The Charter is aligned with international human rights standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It reflects the unique circumstances and challenges faced by children in Africa and provides a framework for addressing those challenges within the African context.
The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child serves as a crucial tool for promoting and protecting the rights of children in Africa. It guides the development of legislation, policies, and programs aimed at improving the well-being of children and ensuring their rights are respected and fulfilled. The Charter underscores the commitment of African countries to prioritise the rights and welfare of children, and it provides a regional framework for cooperation and collaboration in this important area.
Scope and principles: The Charter recognises that children are entitled to special care, protection, and assistance to ensure their full development. It emphasises the principles of non-discrimination, best interests of the child, survival, and development, and the child's right to participate in matters affecting them.
Comprehensive rights: The Charter sets out a comprehensive range of rights for children. It includes civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to life, identity, nationality, education, health, and protection from abuse, exploitation, and harmful practices.
State obligations: The Charter places obligations on member states to protect and promote the rights of children. States are required to adopt legislative, administrative, and other measures to ensure the full realisation of children's rights. They must establish institutions and mechanisms for the protection of children, provide access to education, healthcare, and social services, and take measures to prevent child abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
Participation and parental responsibilities: The Charter emphasises the importance of children's participation in decisions affecting their lives. It recognises the role of parents, guardians, and other caregivers in providing care, guidance, and support to children.
Implementation and monitoring: The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child establishes the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child as the monitoring body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Charter. The Committee receives state reports on their efforts to comply with the Charter, issues recommendations, and provides technical assistance to member states.
Harmonisation with international standards: The Charter is aligned with international human rights standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It reflects the unique circumstances and challenges faced by children in Africa and provides a framework for addressing those challenges within the African context.
The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child serves as a crucial tool for promoting and protecting the rights of children in Africa. It guides the development of legislation, policies, and programs aimed at improving the well-being of children and ensuring their rights are respected and fulfilled. The Charter underscores the commitment of African countries to prioritise the rights and welfare of children, and it provides a regional framework for cooperation and collaboration in this important area.
