ECOWAS member states discuss child policy implementation progress

The ECOWAS Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs held a three-day meeting in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 19-21, 2024. Directors responsible for Child Rights from ECOWAS Member States gathered to review actions taken towards implementing the ECOWAS Child Policy adopted in June 2019. The meeting also conducted a 'soft baseline' analysis of child rights in the region.

Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, represented by Mr. Olatunde Olayemi, emphasized the ECOWAS Commission's commitment to creating an environment conducive to realizing children's rights and aspirations. "She called on the Member States to make adequate provisions in their national budgets for the implementation of child rights programmes," stated Mr. Olayemi.

Ms. Abena Yemoah from the Regional Working Group on Child Protection expressed the group's commitment to accelerating child protection initiatives in West Africa. UNICEF's representative at the meeting, Mrs. Adebisi Arije, congratulated ECOWAS on organizing the event and reiterated UNICEF's commitment to child rights in the region.

Nigeria's representative chaired the meeting and thanked ECOWAS for organizing it. She emphasized that "the well-being of children is a basic condition for a guaranteed future for the West Africa Region" and encouraged participants to assess progress, identify challenges, and share experiences.

Presentations included the first draft of the ECOWAS Children’s Rights Information Management System (ECRIMS) 2023 Report and an Online Tool aimed at improving data collection and analysis. Member State Experts also presented their respective National Programmes related to implementing the ECOWAS Child Policy.

The meeting concluded with renewed commitments from ECOWAS Commission, Member States, and Partners to implement the Child Policy while strengthening National Child Protection Systems. Twelve Directors from Member States attended alongside staff from ECOWAS Commission and representatives from UNICEF, IOM, ILO, and ISS-WA.