October 30, 2024 (Djibouti City, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) held a consultation meeting with children through the National Child Parliament with the support of the Ministry of Women and Family on the IGAD draft child policy framework in Djibouti city.
The overall objective of the consultation meeting was to ensure that children were meaningfully engaged and consulted in the policy-making process to guarantee that their views on the Policy were heard and considered. It also provided an opportunity to get firsthand insights into their needs and the challenges they face.
On behalf of IGAD’s Director of Health and Social Development, Madam Fathia Alwan, Dr. Emnet Berhanu, Migrant Protection Specialist, reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring children’s protection, health and well-being throughout the region.
“Our aim is to develop a child-sensitive policy in line with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child,” Dr Emnet added.
In her opening remarks, Ms Fozia Ali Osman, Director of the Children Affairs at the Ministry for Women and Family, explained that children represent the future of our region, and are the driving force behind the Djiboutian nation.
“We would like to express our gratitude to IGAD for organizing this meeting and for initiating discussions on the development of a children’s policy for all East African countries.” Fozia noted.
In her remarks, Karen Andriamampianina, UNICEF Child Protection Officer –Djibouti, said that UNICEFwelcomes IGAD’s efforts to ensure a safer and healthier future for the region’s children.
“We are convinced that the effective implementation of this policy will contribute to creating a more favourable environment for children to flourish, thus promoting the sustainable development of the IGAD region.” She stated.
Ms Susan Gichuhi, Migration Expert at Save the Children, disclosed that her organization advocates for child participation on various platforms such as this Policy consultation. It’s an opportunity for children as key stakeholders of change to share their experiences, challenges and solutions to issues affecting them.
The consultation brought together the National Child Parliament from Djibouti City and five regions, including Arta, Tadjourah, Obock, Dikhil and Ali-Sabieh.
These consultations are taking place within the framework of the East Africa Migration Routes Project, designed and supported by Switzerland and implemented by Save the Children.
It is known that the IGAD, in collaboration with the East African Community (EAC), developed a Roadmap on Strengthening National Child Protection Systems and Cross Border Collaboration to respond to the needs of migrant and refugee children in East and Horn of Africa.
IGAD is committed to mainstreaming child-focused and child-sensitive approaches into IGAD structure and operations and supporting member states in furthering their international and regional commitments by virtue of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
It is to be remembered that in July 2022, member states’ representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, the IGAD Secretariat and international partners through the Regional Child Protection Network including IOM, Save the Children International, UNICEF and World Vision gathered in Mombasa, Kenya, to discuss the draft Child Policy framework.
