(24 March 2024) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) — The Somali Ministry of Defence led by Minister Abduqadir Mohamed Nur, has reaffirmed its pledge to combat child abuse, including conscription and other potential violations. This pledge was emphasised during a pivotal meeting in Mogadishu on Sunday with Catriona Laing, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Somalia, and Wafaa Saeed, the UNICEF country representative.
The discussions highlighted the Somali government’s continued efforts to protect the rights of children across the nation. The contributions of the Federal Government of Somalia to this crucial cause were commended by both the UN Special Envoy and the UNICEF representative, illustrating a united stance against violations of children’s rights.
Wafaa Saeed reflected on the country’s legislative milestones, remarking on Somalia’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2015. “The cornerstone of this treaty is the recognition that anyone under the age of 18 is a child,” she elucidated. Saeed also acknowledged Somalia’s recent implementation of Age Assessment Guidelines as a “concrete action to protect children,” heralding a significant advance in the nation’s child welfare initiatives.
The Minister Nur, expressed the government’s unwavering commitment to these principles, stating, “We are dedicated to not only adhering to international standards but also to leading by example in our region for child protection.”
The meeting signals a collaborative effort between the Somali government and international bodies to tackle challenges related to child rights and protection, aligning with global standards and commitments.
Halqabsi News
Somalia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2015…the cornerstone of this treaty is recognition that anyone under the age of 18 is a child…Somalia also recently approved Age Assessment Guidelines…a concrete action to protect children 🇸🇴👶🏽🇸🇴 https://t.co/qLlQ12cEsc
— Wafaa ElFadil Saeed Abdelatef (@SaeedWafaa) March 24, 2024
