Day of the African Child: Child-Friendly Justice System in Kenya

Every year on the 16th of June, the African Union and its member States commemorate the Day of the African Child (DAC) as a commemoration of the 16th June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa. This year's theme is 'Access to a Child-Friendly Justice System in Africa'.

What does a child-friendly justice system look like in our country Kenya? Well, for starters, the state has taken significant steps to place family-based care at the centre of its child protection system.

This will gradually replace the practice of privately-run institutions (AKA Children's homes) that provide institutional care for disadvantaged children.

Look, this is not to say that children's homes haven't contributed significantly to children's welfare in Kenya but they've also been dogged by serious abuse allegations over the years. Family-based care for vulnerable kids in Kenya will go a long way in improving their welfare.

The Judiciary is also in the process of establishing more Children's Courts which are child-friendly. The current Judicial system has been called out for being out of touch with the agency of children in Kenya. Chief Justice David Maraga and his team are working on this.

The African Network for the Prevention & Protection against child abuse & Neglect (ANPPCAN) has expanded it's Kenyan chapter to accelerate the agitation for concrete children's rights and welfare in the country.

Child help line Kenya 116 is keeping a national database on calls made on issues raised by children by providing a platform for networking amongst stakeholders/ and providing linkages to support systems that facilitate the rehabilitation of abused children.

Anti-Human Trafficking Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU) in Mombasa will deal specifically with the threat of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) and Child Trafficking that is rife at the Kenyan coast.

These are ambitious, long-term national approaches to ensure the safety and justice of Kenya's children. Now that you're aware of resources available to help kids in Kenya access justice, tell a friend to tell a friend.

*Image: UNICEF