The 2nd EAC Child Rights Conference concluded in Nairobi, Kenya, with the participants formulating several recommendations that reaffirm the strong commitment of the region in promoting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of all children in the bloc.
The Permanent Secretary of Labour, Gender and Social Development Pius Bigirimana
Officiating at the official closing ceremony of the Conference, Uganda’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mr. Pius Bigirimana asserted that children, who are the region’s greatest resource, need a lot of attention to enable them have a strong beginning in life “so that we can improve our human capital which will catapult our region into middle income era that every country in the region is aspiring to”.
The PS called for the establishment of National Councils/ Authorities on Children to facilitate the establishment of the East African Children’s Council. And also the need to establish a regional Assembly to provide a common coordination platform that will ensure that the children do realize their potential and their rights are enjoyed.
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Uganda’s Permanent Secretary said the region needs to harmonize its efforts in increasing allocation of resources in the National budgets to reflect the importance of building a strong human capital starting from the children i.e. making children visible in the national budgets.
Mr. Bigirimana reiterated the need to put in place a framework that will hold parties responsible and accountable in regard to implementation of the recommendations of the Conference. He also urged for fast track the development of the action plan to operationalize the implementation of the launched EAC Child Policy with a well cross cutting coordination mechanism.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General for Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Jesca Eriyo read the recommendations which were categorized under; Investing in Children; Status of Investment in Child Rights in EAC; Children in Conflict and Emergencies; Ending Violence against Children; Integrated approach to the implementation of Child Rights; Children Recommendations and General Recommendations.
