By Michael Gwarisa
Maseru, Lesotho – International human rights organization Equality Now, has called for urgent and reinforced actions to safeguard children’s rights in Africa during the 45th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).
Addressing the high-level gathering, Sally Ncube, Equality Now’s representative, emphasized the pressing need for legal reforms and stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect children from harmful practices, violence, and exploitation.
The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, yet despite progress, millions of children across Africa still suffer from harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, sexual exploitation, and lack of access to education and healthcare. We urge member states to take decisive and urgent action to protect and promote the rights of every child on the continent,” said Ncube.
Equality Now highlighted the slow pace of progress in eliminating FGM, particularly in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Somalia, where the practice remains legal. The organization urged the ACERWC to pressure governments to enact and enforce laws prohibiting FGM, in line with the recommendations of the ACHPR-ACERWC Joint General Comment on FGM.
“In Sierra Leone, the legislative process to ban FGM has stalled, leaving thousands of girls at risk. Similarly, Liberia’s temporary moratorium on FGM expired in February 2025, meaning there is currently no legal protection for girls. Governments must act swiftly to criminalize and eradicate this harmful practice,” Dura stated.
The issue of child marriage remains a significant concern in many African countries. Equality Now cited the case of an eight-year-old girl recently married to an adult man in Somalia as an example of the urgent need for stricter laws. The organization called for the passage of legislative reforms in Uganda and South Africa, where bills raising the minimum marriage age to 18 are currently under review.
“We commend Uganda and South Africa for their progress in legal reforms but urge all African states to align their marriage laws with the Children’s Charter and the Maputo Protocol,” said Ncube.
The increasing prevalence of child trafficking and sexual exploitation across Africa, particularly in conflict-affected regions, was another major concern raised. Equality Now cited the UNODC’s 2024 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, which highlighted the growing number of African children trafficked beyond the continent.
“In West and East Africa, boys are often trafficked for forced labor, while girls are disproportionately subjected to sexual exploitation. We call on all governments to fully implement anti-trafficking laws and provide sufficient resources to national institutions to combat these crimes effectively,” urged Ncube.
With the rise of internet connectivity, children are increasingly vulnerable to online sexual exploitation. A 2024 report by ChildFund International and the African Child Policy Forum found that over 60% of identified victims of OCSEA were young children, with 65% being girls. Equality Now urged governments to strengthen accountability mechanisms for technology platforms and enhance cross-border cooperation to combat online exploitation.
Citing UNICEF’s 2024 report, which revealed that over 79 million girls and women in Sub-Saharan Africa have experienced sexual violence before turning 18, Equality Now called for urgent legal reforms.
“The gaps in rape laws across 45 African countries result in survivors being denied justice. We must repeal discriminatory laws, strengthen legal frameworks, and ensure survivors have access to justice and support services,” emphasized Ncube.
Education was highlighted as a critical tool for empowering children, particularly girls, who face barriers due to child marriage, pregnancy, and gender-based violence. Equality Now called for the repeal of discriminatory laws banning pregnant girls from attending school and urged governments to invest in re-entry policies, sexual and reproductive health education, and budgetary support for vulnerable children.
“Africa cannot afford to lose its girls to early marriage and teenage pregnancy. Education is a fundamental right that must be protected at all costs,” Ncube stressed.
Equality Now reaffirmed its commitment to working with the ACERWC to advance child rights in Africa and urged member states to take swift and concrete actions.
“The protection of children’s rights is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative. We urge African governments to act now to ensure a safer and more just future for all children,” concluded Ncube.
The ACERWC session continues in Maseru, with stakeholders expected to deliberate on key recommendations and policy interventions to strengthen child protection frameworks across the continent.
