Somalia Ratifies African Charter on Children’s Rights

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s lower house of parliament has ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, a landmark step aimed at strengthening legal protections for children in the country.

The measure passed on Wednesday with 130 lawmakers voting in favour, 10 against and five abstaining. The charter, adopted by the African Union in 1990, commits member states to safeguard children’s rights, including protection from abuse, access to education and healthcare.

Parliamentary leaders described the move as a milestone in Somalia’s human rights and social development agenda. The Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development will oversee implementation, translating the treaty into national policies and programmes.