Strengthening Child Protection Across Africa Through New AU Frameworks
Two important African Union frameworks aimed at strengthening child protection across the continent moved a step closer to adoption during the ARISE Africa II Convening, held on 16–17 July at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Terre des Hommes Netherlands joined the convening alongside African Union Member States, policymakers, development partners and civil society organisations.
The convening focused on validating the AU Model Law on Child Online Safety and the Common Africa Position on Ending Violence Against Children (CAP-EVAC). Together, these frameworks provide a foundation for stronger child protection systems and coordinated national and transnational action to prevent and respond to exploitation and violence against children.
Terre des Hommes Netherlands was represented by Magdalene Muoki, Africa Regional Representative, Girma Amentie, Country Director Ethiopia, and Betselot Kefelegn, Online Safety Programme Officer.
From Expertise to Policy
Terre des Hommes Netherlands contributed technical expertise throughout the development and validation of both frameworks. Our recommendations were informed by years of experience preventing and addressing child exploitation, including Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), through programmes implemented across Africa, Asia and beyond.
As the frameworks move towards formal adoption, we remain committed to supporting their implementation in the countries where we operate. This includes providing technical expertise, sharing evidence and lessons learned, and supporting the dissemination of the frameworks to help translate policy into meaningful action for children.
A Shared Framework for Action
Violence against children continues to undermine the systems and capacities needed for Africa’s human capital development, social cohesion, peace and sustainable development, while violating children’s rights and harming their well-being and development. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated action across governments, sectors and borders.
The new frameworks promote a shift from fragmented programmes to integrated child protection systems, from reactive interventions to prevention-centred approaches, and from isolated sectoral responses to coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society action.
The Next Steps
Terre des Hommes Netherlands commends the African Union’s leadership in bringing Member States and partners together to advance child protection across the continent. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with governments, the African Union and other partners to support the implementation of these frameworks and help ensure that every child can grow up free from violence, abuse and exploitation.
