The Role of Independent Human Rights Institutions for Children (IHRICs) in Africa in Raising Awareness about Children's Rights among Children

Hilda Kalekyezi Nankunda,Nigel Thomas

doi:10.13189/sa.2016.040513

Abstract

This article discusses implementation of the UNCRC 1989, by African Countries. It explores ways of using Independent Human Rights Institutions for Children (IHRIC) in Africa, to increase awareness of children's rights among children so that they (children) can participate and even lead in realizing their own rights. It is based on a qualitative design in two phases. Phase 1 was a documentary review of periodic reports from 25 African signatory states. Content analysis revealed that IHRICs by African Countries are not independent according to the recommendations of the General Comment No. 2 2002 which reverberates with the Paris Principles 1993. Phase 2 Field work was conducted in two districts and two communities in Uganda. Action Research approaches were employed to 72 participants including 21 children aged 10-15 years. Focus Group Discussions were conducted with children, Dialogue Meetings for the community facilitated by children and Key Informant Interviews. It was found that children can articulate their rights and contribute to decisions that affect them. This article suggests that States Parties in Africa should support implementation of UNCRC by availing funds to the HRIC to fulfill their functions. Emphasis should be on raising awareness about children's rights and involving children in decisions making, planning and policy development activities.

Highlights

IntroductionThe UNCRC is applauded as the most widely and rapidly accepted human rights treaty in history
Whereas reports revealed a lot of awareness-raising activities about children’s rights especially by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), they did show whether these activities were monitored and they do not seem to have adequately targeted children
The results showed the need to have institutions that promote children’s rights accessible to children

Summary

Introduction

The UNCRC is applauded as the most widely and rapidly accepted human rights treaty in history It is the world’s first international legal instrument on children’s rights whose drafting lasted ten years of negotiation among government delegations and intergovernmental organizations [2]. Majority of children in the global south and Africa in particular remain disadvantaged, vulnerable and unable to access children’s rights This has been attributed to poverty and bad governance inherent in these countries [6,7, and 8]. The Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended the establishment of IHRIC to facilitate implementation in the General comment No 2 (2002) [9] Their roles include influencing legislations and policy development as well as raising awareness about children’s rights among children which resonated with the Paris Principles (1993)[10]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion