2024-04-24 15:05:15
The AU also reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to continue to take appropriate measures to promote and protect the rights and well-being of the African child, says the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the Union in the conclusions published on Friday and having sanctioned the Ministerial and High-Level Public Session on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Well-being of Children in Conflict Situations in Africa, which was held from 4 to 5 December 2023 in Banjul (Republic of Gambia).
This meeting agreed that the primary responsibility for the protection of children and the implementation of national, regional and continental frameworks lies with States who must redouble their efforts and prioritize local programs that promote the rights and protection of children and establish a culture of child protection both in peacetime and in conflict situations.
She also stressed the need to make firm commitments to help put in place comprehensive measures for the protection of children in conflict situations and to prevent serious violations of the rights and well-being of children – killing and gratuitous mutilation of children, recruitment or use of children in armed forces or armed groups, attacks on schools or hospitals, rape or other serious sexual violence, kidnapping and denial of access to humanitarian aid.
Child protection should be focused on gender equality and integrated into all governance, peace and security mechanisms and processes, including early warning, prevention, management and conflict resolution, peace support operations, as well as post-conflict reconstruction and development, it is emphasized.
This public meeting further called on African countries to redouble their efforts to ensure comprehensive mental health and psychosocial support programs for children affected by conflict, including rehabilitation and reintegration through programs cognitive development adapted to the context and age of the child.
Child protection should be integrated into peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes and children, including those with disabilities, we read in particular in the conclusions of this public session of the PSC of the AU.
2024-04-24 15:05:15