During the Conference challenges and successes of the endeavors employed to promote and protect the rights of the child in Africa were assessed with a view of guiding the future efforts to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Africa.
Aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063, the Africa’s Agenda for Children is in line with Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063: An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children; and therefore focuses on children and youth as the drivers of Africa’s Renaissance. The document is also informed by AU legal and policy frameworks.
The Agenda sets out ten aspirations, to be achieved by 2040, in five implementation phases that are 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035 and 2040. State Parties are expected to align their national implementation plan with their commitments and obligations under Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Developments Goals and other international treaties.
The ten aspirations are as follow:
Aspiration 1: The African Children’s Charter, as supervised by the African Children’s Committee, provides an effective continental framework for advancing children’s rights.
Aspiration 2: An effective child-friendly national legislative, policy and institutional framework is in place in all Member States.
Aspiration 3: Every child’s birth and other vital statistics are registered.
Aspiration 4: Every child survives and has a healthy childhood.
Aspiration 5: Every child grows up well-nourished and with access to the basic necessities of life.
Aspiration 6: Every child benefits fully from quality education.
Aspiration 7: Every child is protected against violence, exploitation, neglect and abuse.
Aspiration 8: Children benefit from a child-sensitive criminal justice system.
Aspiration 9: Every child is free from the impact of armed conflicts and other disasters or emergency situations.
Aspiration 10: African children’s views matter.
The Committee is looking forward to present the Agenda to Member States which eventually own the document for its full implementation. The Committee will also closely work with partners to ensure a wider dissemination of this document.
