Child rights and protection remain critical global concerns, with millions of children in Africa still facing significant risks. Effective child protection hinges on the establishment of strong policies, legislation, and regulations, yet the lack of implementation and the ongoing political and economic instability in many regions create major barriers to safeguarding children.
Africa is home to 23.9 percent of the world's child laborers, with 86.6 million children involved in labor, as highlighted in a 2020 report. Sub-Saharan Africa has seen a rise in child labor, with high levels of physical, emotional, and sexual violence reported in various countries. In a 2023 survey, UNICEF found that rates of violence against children in several Southern African nations are among the highest in the world.
Violence is not limited to labor or abuse; bullying remains widespread, with 40 percent of adolescent students experiencing it, affecting both boys and girls. In Ghana, more than half of children in residential homes have suffered violence. Furthermore, ongoing conflicts in Somalia have displaced 2.6 million people, separating many children from their families and friends, leaving 2.1 million children in need of protection services.
Despite these challenges, some progress has been made. Kenya has introduced a comprehensive legal framework to tackle child sexual exploitation and abuse. However, a broader reassessment of child protection measures across Africa is essential to address the rising number of violations. Current policies are not yielding sufficient results, and urgent action is needed to protect children from harm.
While some regions, like the African Union, have implemented policies such as the Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy to address new risks related to digital access, much more remains to be done to close the gaps in child protection. Addressing these gaps requires a renewed focus on political stability, robust implementation of child protection policies, and rethinking the role of both public and private sector institutions in safeguarding children's rights.
Without decisive action, millions of children across Africa will continue to face violations of their basic human rights, including safety, education, health, and emotional well-being.
