Eritrea: Meeting on ensuring rights of children and avoiding harmful practices – Africa Links 24

Mendefera, March 6, 2024 – The annual activity assessment for the year 2023 of the Southern Region’s committee dedicated to protecting children’s rights and preventing harmful practices took place on March 2 in Mendefera.

Mr. Kaleab Tesfaselasie, the Director General of Social Services in the region, emphasized the importance of safeguarding children’s rights and eradicating harmful practices for national development. He encouraged effective collaboration among sub-committees across various sub-zones to achieve these goals.

A comprehensive report presented during the meeting indicated that issues like underage marriages and female genital mutilation are currently not major concerns at the regional level. However, ongoing surveillance and monitoring are needed, especially in remote areas, to keep these harmful practices in check.

The committee secretaries advocated for increased involvement from parents and teachers in combating harmful practices and emphasized the need to pay attention to traditional medical practices.

Established in 2018, the committee for protecting children’s rights and preventing harmful practices in the Southern Region was initiated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. This initiative received support from collaborations with the Ministry of Health and the National Union of Eritrean Women branches in the region, showcasing a united effort in safeguarding children’s welfare in the region.