Somalia has become the 52nd African country to ratify the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, marking a historic step toward strengthening legal protections for children across the country. The ratification obliges Somalia’s government to align national laws and policies with the charter, which was established 35 years ago, and to report on progress to the Africa Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The charter ensures children’s access to health, education, and protection while requiring Somalia to eliminate harmful cultural practices and promote child participation in decision-making. Following decades of conflict, children in Somalia have faced grave violations, including abductions, recruitment into armed groups, and sexual assault.
Binyam Gebru, Acting Country Director for Save the Children in Somalia, called the ratification “a historic achievement for Somalia’s children” and emphasized that it signals a long-overdue commitment to safeguarding their rights.
Save the Children, a key partner in the process, has been active in Somalia since 1951, delivering vital health, nutrition, education, and protection services. In 2024 alone, the organization reached 3.2 million people, including 1.9 million children, across 17 regions.
With the charter ratified, Somalia now joins a majority of African nations in advancing children’s rights, while Morocco, South Sudan, and Tunisia remain the only AU members yet to ratify. The child rights agency is urging Somalia’s Senate to approve the charter and the President to sign it into law, turning legal commitment into enforceable action.
