New Guidance for Children Without Parental Care Released Across 55 African States
In a landmark move, 55 African states have rolled out new guidance to protect the estimated 35 million children without parental care across the continent. The General Comment Number 10 on Article 25 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) was launched at the 46th session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) in Maseru, Lesotho.
This new standard, developed in partnership with government representatives, child-focused organizations, academic institutions, child rights scholars, and children and young people, aims to unpack the existing provisions in the ACRWC and provide tailored support for children without parental care.
SOS Children’s Villages, the world’s largest charity supporting children without, or at risk of losing, parental care, played a lead role in the development of the General Comment. Firew Bekele, Head of Advocacy and Communications for Eastern and Southern Africa for SOS Children’s Villages International, expressed his belief that the document will serve as a basis for child rights advocates to engage with member states of the African Union and ensure the protection of the rights of children without parental care.
The General Comment sets out guidelines for care reform across Africa, with a focus on promoting high-quality, family-based care and preventing separation from families. It also emphasizes the importance of children’s participation in decisions that affect their lives and the strengthening of legal and policy frameworks to protect their rights.
Additionally, the General Comment provides specific guidance for protected groups, such as children with albinism or disabilities. SOS Children’s Villages UK CEO Alison Wallace praised the achievement as groundbreaking and a testament to the value of evidence-based and context-specific care reform.
SOS Children’s Villages works in over 130 countries, with a focus on supporting children and young people who do not have, or are at risk of losing, parental care. The organization’s mission is to provide love and support to these children, enabling them to thrive rather than just survive.