By Alice Njoki.
A new project called Just Rights For Children has been launched to tackle serious issues affecting children’s rights in the country. Implemented by The Cradle, a non-governmental organisation focused on child welfare, this initiative aims to address crimes against children.
The project will focus on four main issues: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child trafficking, child marriages and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Key actions include improving laws related to child rights, increasing funding for child protection, providing legal help for victims, and training community leaders to advocate for children’s rights.
Michael Wasonga, executive director of The Cradle, stressed the importance of working together to combat crimes against children. “We are committed to joining forces with others to ensure justice for survivors,” he said.
The initiative brings together various organisations, advocates, and lawmakers to create a united effort. “We will assess child marriages nationwide and create a national plan to address harmful practices,” Wasonga added.
Winnie Nyadiga, country director for Just Rights Alliance, pointed out that many who should protect children can sometimes harm them. “We need to fix gaps in the law to ensure justice for vulnerable children,” she said.
The project will also support changes to the Sexual Offences Act 2006, working with the National Council on Administration of Justice to respond to new crime trends and technologies.
Some proposed changes include banning traditional methods of settling sexual offences, preventing foreign sexual offenders from entering the country, and creating a public list of offenders. There will also be efforts to set up safe houses for victims and impose penalties on those who do not report abuse.
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo praised the initiative, noting the rising number of child crimes despite existing laws. She called for better protection for children and highlighted the need to address modern challenges like online abuse.
“Laws should adapt to current issues,” she said, recognizing that budget limitations hinder child protection efforts.
Through the Just Rights for Children project, the children’s unit at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation will receive important support to help investigate and combat child trafficking, ensuring better protection for children’s rights and well-being.
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