Somalia launches drafting process of Child Rights Bill
The government Thursday launched the drafting process of the Child Rights bill which aims to strengthen the rights of children in the country two years after Somalia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development said in a statement the process which is done with the support of the UN children’s agency UNICEF will guarantee and protect children’s rights.
“The launch of the drafting process of this comprehensive children’s law today shows the determination of the Federal Government to ensure the Articles in the CRC become a reality in Somalia,” said Minister Deqa Yasin Hagi Yusuf.
The minister noted children were facing numerous challenges among them drought and armed conflict but said the bill will create a framework under which children can enjoy their rights.
“Children here have been seriously affected by armed conflict, drought and many other challenges. We should now focus on guaranteeing their future by strengthening the legal framework which will enable them to enjoy their rights, including the right to development, education, and protection among others.”
A humanitarian communique from the Humanitarian Affairs ministry Thursday indicated children continued to be the most affected by the drought.
“Overall, some 388,000 acutely malnourished children need critical nutrition support, including life-saving treatment for more than 87,000 severely malnourished children,” the communique noted.
UNICEF regional director for Eastern Southern Africa Leila Pakkala reiterated the importance of promoting the rights of children.
“Every child in Somalia is entitled – as are all children worldwide – to fully realize their rights,” said UNICEF’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Leila Pakkala. “We trust that the Child Rights Bill will provide the legal foundation to effectively promote and protect all child rights in Somalia, including those of the most marginalized.”
Somalia ratified the CRC October 2015 becoming the 196th country to assent to the convention which is considered the most widely ratified rights treaty in the world.
The country is expected to submit its Initial State Party Report on the Convention on the Rights of the Children, 1989 to the UN Committee on the Rights of Children in line with the terms of the Convention which requires state parties must submit initial reports after ratification.
The launch of the drafting process comes ahead of the November 20 Universal Children’s Day.