Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs It is a specialized, independent, non-profit media network that observes and follows up the Somali humanitarian scene
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MOGADISHU — Somalia’s House of the People (Lower House of Parliament) has ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, marking a significant step toward strengthening child protection laws and aligning the nation with continental human rights frameworks.
The Charter, adopted by the African Union, is designed to protect, promote, and advance the rights of children across Africa, with a focus on ensuring access to education and healthcare, protection from abuse and exploitation, and broader social welfare measures.
In the parliamentary session held in Mogadishu, the ratification was approved with a commanding majority: 130 lawmakers voted in favour, 10 opposed, and 5 abstained. This endorsement paves the way for Somalia to formally become a signatory state to the treaty.
Lawmakers emphasized that the Charter will provide a robust legal framework to improve the environment for Somali children, particularly in areas of schooling, health services, and safeguarding against violence and neglect.
The ratification underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of its youngest citizens. By formally joining the treaty, Somalia aligns itself with other African Union member states and is expected to unlock opportunities for legal, financial, and technical support from international partners to enhance child-focused programs.
The move is seen not just as a legal formality but as a crucial political statement of hope for a more protective, inclusive, and rights-based future for a nation emerging from decades of instability.
