Day of The African Child

Kenya, like most African countries, continues to strive towards its commitment to the charter by ensuring that children live in a society that is sensitive to their needs and concerns. Various laws and policies have been put in place and by this the country continues to bring to place laws and policies that are child-focused and are aligned with the charter to realize most of the rights of children.

Some of the laws that have been in place and continue to protect children include, but are not limited to, Article 53 of the Kenyan Constitution of 2010, the Children’s Act of 2001 now undergoing amendments, the Sexual Offences Act of 2003 which protects children against sexual assault, the Child Labour Policy of 2013, the Basic Education Act of 2013 and the FGM Act 2011.

The Day of the African Child is a great day for all children in Africa and brings to life most commitments undertaken by African countries to fulfil the targets of the SDGs by 2030. This year’s Day of the African Child is being commemorated under the theme, “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy and Practices since 2013.” calling upon member states of the African Union to adopt stronger measures to protect the children from harmful practices that continue to infringe on their rights. ADSE is keen on protecting and safeguarding the children rights and ensure they they live in a society that attends to their needs thus joined the world to observe the International Day of the African Child is at Ndauni Primary School in Mutwangombe location of the larger Mwingi County.

Children in Kenya continue to suffer the effects of harmful practices despite the existence of laws and policies that safeguard their rights and welfare with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriages and child beading child labour, corporal punishment, among others are among harmful cultural practices that are still prevalent in Kenya.