Review report on laws, policies and programmes on VAC launched

05/09/2018

A review of laws, policies and programmes on the elimination of child labour and violence against children in Kenya was launched in a Nairobi hotel yesterday.

The launch of the review report coincided with the launch of ANPPCAN’s programme on Building the Foundation for Child Trafficking Free Zones in Urban and Rural Kenya.

In his remarks read by Mrs Carren Ogoti, head of the Trafficking in Persons Unit at the Department of Children’s Services, Nelson Marwa, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection said the review complimented the programme on child trafficking, ‘because a large of children are trafficked for exploitation in labour, including the worst forms of child labour.

The review noted four key issues that need to be addressed as they hinder the full realization of the Government intentions regarding child labour, especially the worst forms and violence against child labour. These key issues  are resource allocation, coordination of key actors and programmes, inconsistencies in laws and lack of data on children.

The review generated recommendations after identifying challenges and gaps in the implementation of the laws, policies and programmes for the elimination of child labour and violence against children in Kenya.

Despite the efforts the Government in enacting laws, develop policies and programmes to eliminate child labour, especially its worst forms and stop violence against children, many children are still engaged in labour activities, and therefore missing on their education and their childhood.

The review concludes by calling for a change regarding the strategies currently being used to address child labour and violence against children in Kenya.

The PS said the findings of the review, including the recommendations, should be shared widely so that they can be used by different actors to improve the situation of children in Kenya.