MOGADISHU (SONNA) – Key committees from the Federal Parliament of Somalia, in collaboration with Save The Children, have launched a crucial two-day workshop in Mogadishu dedicated to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).
The workshop is spearheaded by the People’s House (Lower House) Committee on Human Rights, Women, and Humanitarian Affairs, alongside the Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The event gathers a wide array of stakeholders to analyze the charter’s articles and assess their profound implications for Somalia.
This significant consultative meeting also includes active participation from key government bodies and civil society. Representatives from the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, the Ministry of Justice, and various Civil Society Organizations are in attendance, fostering a comprehensive, multi-sector dialogue on strengthening protections for children.
During the sessions, participants are engaging in a detailed review of the provisions within the African Charter. The primary focus is on identifying how these regional standards align with Somalia’s national context and how they can be integrated to enhance the well-being and rights of Somali children.
Hon. Hawa Sokor Ali, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Women, and Humanitarian Affairs, delivered the opening remarks. She formally inaugurated the workshop, emphasizing the importance of the discussions ahead.
“Over the next two days, we will thoroughly discuss the articles of this Charter and its vital importance for our country,” stated Hon. Hawa Sokor Ali.
The workshop represents a focused effort by Somali legislators and their partners to engage deeply with continental human rights frameworks, aiming to bolster the legal and social safeguards for the nation’s youngest citizens.