August 30, 2024 (Djibouti, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has convened a National Consultation on the Policy framework of IGAD Childhood in Djibouti under the theme “Promoting the rights and well-being of children in the IGAD region”, in Djibouti.
The overall objectives of the two days National consultations is to ensure the national stakeholders in Djibouti, adequately consulted in the policy formulation process to ensure the Children’s Policy accurately in reflecting the regional and national context and the proposed strategies that appropriately designed to address the challenges facing children at the regional and national levels.
Speaking on behalf of the IGAD, Director of Health and Social Development Division, Madam Fathia Alwan, Dr. Shadrach Oiye Child Programming Coordinator Described IGAD strongly believe that the upcoming Child policy will indubitably cement IGAD’s regional leadership to push for child – sensitive agendas and propel us forward in the realization of child right in the region.
In her opening remarks, Madam Fozia Ali Osman, Director of the Family at the Ministry for Women and the Family of Djibouti, highlighted that the strategic objective in this context is to strengthen the multi-sectorial governance capacities of the integrated early childhood development sector and the national multi-sectorial child protection system in all its programmatic and organizational aspects.
“Just as we are convinced at the national level that the issue of childhood, a cross-cutting theme par excellence, requires a high degree of coordination between the different partners concerned, we also consider that it is necessary for our countries to strengthen dialogue, consultation and the exchange of experiences in order to ensure harmonized prevention, protection and care policies for our children,” she added.
Moulki Ahmed, Coordinator , transit Center , IOM, in her part disclosed that Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has always been at the forefront of promoting peace, economic and social development through advanced regional cooperation.
Moreover she explained that the national consultations are a way for IGAD, the Government of Djibouti and IOM to respond to the challenges faced by migrant children in the region, but also to strengthen national child protection systems and cross-border collaboration.
“We want to ensure that the Child Policy accurately reflects the regional and national context and that the proposed strategies are appropriately designed to meet the challenges facing our children”, she noted.
The National consultations brought together participants from relevant government ministries and agencies mandated to work on children’s, women’s and social affairs, health, education, migration, justice and law enforcement, including, representatives o f civil society organizations and international partners with a particular interest in child protection.
The consultation is supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the African Regional Migration Program.
Subsequently, on two days discussions the challenges faced by children in Djibouti, preventing the realization of their rights and well-being, as well as existing relevant laws, policies and institutions are documented.
Finally, the National stakeholders provided their inputs which adjust, revise and improve the provisions of the draft IGAD Children’s Policy.
It is to be remembered that, in July 2022, representatives from the Member States of 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, met in Mombasa to discuss the draft child policy framework.
