Maseru, Lesotho | 7 – 11 April 2025

TOPIC: Addressing Critical Issues in Education for African Children

Protocol

• The Honourable Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of  the Child,

• Honourable Committee Members,

• Distinguished Representatives of Member States,

• Honourable Delegates, Distinguished Guests,

• Our Dear Children,

• All Protocols Observed,

On behalf of FAWE, I extend our sincere gratitude to the ACERWC for its unwavering commitment to children’s rights and to prioritizing the education of girls across the continent. We reaffirm our dedication to supporting policies and frameworks that protect and empower our children, particularly girls.

1. Encouraging the Finalization of the General Comment on Education and Its Rollout

We urge the Committee to finalize the General Comment on the Right to Education, a critical tool for guiding African governments in addressing the educational needs of all children, with a focus on gender equality. The General Comment will support countries in fulfilling their obligations under the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and Agenda 2063, ensuring that education is accessible, inclusive, and transformative for all children, especially girls who face compounded barriers.

We commend the African Union’s Education, Science, and Technology (ESTI) Department for its efforts in developing and reviewing the CESA 25-34 and TVET Strategy, key strategies for addressing the skills gap across Africa. These strategies complement the General Comment, and we encourage the ACERWC to collaborate with the AU ESTI in rolling out the General Comment alongside the CESA 25-34 and TVET Strategy. This collaboration will ensure an integrated approach, strengthening gender-responsive education and skills development, particularly for girls in technical and vocational education.

We also urge the Committee to work closely with civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure the General Comment is translated into actionable policies at the national and regional levels. Capacity-building efforts should be included to help stakeholders understand and effectively implement the General Comment, alongside the CESA Strategy (2026-2035) and TVET Strategy.

FAWE remains committed to supporting this process by helping to disseminate the General Comment and assisting governments in their efforts to ensure inclusive, quality education for all children, particularly girls.

2. Follow-Up on State Reporting Under the ACERWC, especially considering Ongoing Budget Cuts
Many African governments are currently facing significant budgetary constraints, including cuts to international aid. These financial challenges are also impacting civil society organizations (CSOs), which play a crucial role in advocating for children’s rights, particularly in areas such as education and health. Given these circumstances, it is more important than ever that we collaborate with CSOs to ensure that children’s issues remain a priority in domestic funding and policymaking.

FAWE recommends that the Committee encourage states and CSOs to jointly develop a framework for  implementing the concluding observations made in response to state party reports. This framework should focus on holding states accountable and ensuring that the promises made in international reports are translated into concrete actions. Collaboration with CSOs will be essential to strengthening local advocacy efforts and ensuring that state commitments lead to tangible improvements in the educational rights and welfare of children across Africa. These reports should not be viewed as mere documents but  as mechanisms for real change, driving measurable progress in the protection and fulfilment of children’s  rights.

3. Encouraging States to Strengthen or Develop Re-Entry Policies for Girls and Boys Affected by  Conflict and Gender-Based Violence
FAWE urges the Committee to encourage African states to develop and strengthen school re-entry policies for children, particularly those affected by conflict, school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM). These challenges, which disproportionately affect girls, continue to prevent children from completing their education and realizing their full potential.

We recommend that states implement comprehensive re-entry policies specifically targeting children who  have dropped out of school due to these issues. These policies should be backed by clear political will and  sufficient budgetary support. They should also include supportive measures such as flexible school  timetables, childcare services for teenage mothers, counselling, and mentorship programs for affected  students. Additionally, support for families should be prioritized, including scholarships and access to  vocational training programs.

We emphasize the importance of promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as an alternative pathway for those who face barriers to formal education. These efforts will help mitigate  the long-term impact of conflict, violence, and harmful practices on children’s educational journeys and  empower them to reintegrate into the education system with the necessary support to thrive.

4. Integrating Children’s Rights into Broader Human Rights and Development Frameworks
To ensure the comprehensive protection and promotion of children’s rights, it is crucial to place children’s rights within the broader human rights discourse, particularly in regional and international policies that shape development priorities. Policies such as the Beijing Plus 30 reviews, the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (2026-2035), and the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) address issues directly affecting children. However, for meaningful progress, we must fully integrate child rights into these discussions, acknowledging that children’s rights are central to the broader goals of gender equality, sustainable development, and the elimination of violence and exploitation.

Failure to position children’s rights within key global and regional development frameworks, such as the G20, COP negotiations, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and initiatives like the Pact for the Future, results in children being overlooked in major policy decisions that impact their lives. Children are the ultimate beneficiaries of these global and continental efforts, yet they often miss out on key resources, policies, and investments. This is particularly concerning in Africa, where children represent most of the population. Neglecting their needs in the development agenda compromises the continent’s future and undermines efforts to achieve the goals set out in Agenda 2063 and beyond.

Thus, we urge the ACERWC, AU member states, CSOs, and international partners to advocate for the integration of children’s rights into the development agendas of platforms like the G20, COP, and SDGs. This will ensure that children, particularly in Africa, are not sidelined in global discussions, helping them to remain central in the pursuit of sustainable development and gender equality.

Conclusion
In conclusion, FAWE stands in solidarity with the ACERWC and its efforts to advance children’s rights across Africa, particularly the right to education. We are confident that the ongoing work to finalize the General Comment on Education, alongside efforts to improve follow-up on state reporting and strengthen school re-entry policies, will pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable education system in Africa.

FAWE pledges its continued support in advocating for girls’ education and is committed to working closely with governments, the Committee, and civil society to realize our shared vision of a continent where every girl can learn, grow, and thrive. Education is the greatest equalizer, and we must work together to ensure that no girl is left behind.

Thank you.

Statement signed by:

Martha L.R. Muhwezi, PhD

Executive Director, FAWE Africa