Ithabeleng Qhasho
LESOTHO is hosting the 48th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), with African leaders and child rights advocates calling for stronger cooperation and accountability to protect children from violence, abuse and harmful practices.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nthomeng Majara, officially opened the session in Maseru on Tuesday, urging delegates to strengthen their commitments to children’s rights and identify practical measures to improve their welfare.
The session, which runs until 20 October, has brought together representatives of African Union member states, national human rights institutions, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations and child rights experts to assess progress in implementing the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
This year’s discussions are being held under the theme, “Violence Against Children and Harmful Practices: Navigating the Digital Frontier”, placing particular emphasis on protecting children from violence and harmful practices, including emerging threats in the digital environment.
The gathering provides an opportunity for participating countries to share experiences, identify gaps in child protection systems and explore measures to strengthen existing legal and policy frameworks.
ACERWC chairperson, Sabrina Gahar, said the Committee would engage states in constructive dialogue on their implementation of the African Children’s Charter through the examination of national reports.
“During this session, the Committee will undertake constructive dialogue with state parties on the implementation of the Charter,” Ms Gahar said in her opening remarks.
The Committee is scheduled to consider the initial reports of The Gambia and Libya, alongside the first periodic reports of Mauritania and Egypt.
The reviews form part of the committee’s mandate to monitor African countries’ compliance with their obligations under the charter and identify areas requiring further action.
Ms Gahar said the Committee would also consider complementary reports from civil society organisations in Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Cabo Verde ahead of the examination of the respective country reports at the next session in April 2027.
Civil society reports provide an additional perspective on the implementation of children’s rights, complementing information submitted by governments and highlighting challenges experienced by children and communities.
In a move aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation, Ms Gahar announced that the Committee would, for the first time, consider contributions from the National Human Rights Institutions of Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Cabo Verde.
She said the initiative was intended to enhance collaboration between the Committee and national human rights institutions.
The ACERWC is mandated to promote and protect children’s rights under the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Its work includes monitoring implementation of the charter and engaging governments and other stakeholders to advance its objectives.
The focus on the digital environment highlights the need for child protection measures that respond to emerging challenges, while emphasising the responsibilities of governments, institutions and communities in preventing abuse and responding to violations.
Children’s participation has also featured prominently in the discussions, with calls for greater accountability and more decisive action to address the barriers preventing children across the continent from fully enjoying their rights.
Lesotho’s child representative, Thato Sello, urged African governments and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect children’s rights and improve their well-being.
Ms Sello stressed the need for greater accountability, bolder action and adequate resources to address the challenges that continue to undermine children’s welfare.
“Harmful traditional practices, including child marriage, continue to threaten children’s education, safety and well-being across the continent,” she said.