Somalia reaffirms commitment to child rights at high-level Mogadishu ceremony.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has reiterated that Somalia’s future hinges on safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of its children, as the country marked a decade since joining the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, on Thursday attended a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of Somalia’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
In his keynote address, the Prime Minister reflected on the situation of Somali children, the hardships they continue to face, and the persistent challenges that threaten their growth, safety, and access to basic rights. He noted that despite progress, Somali children still confront serious risks, including dangerous migration routes across seas and deserts, radicalization and exploitation by extremist groups, clan-based discrimination, drug abuse, and the widespread use of child labour, practices he said undermine the country’s future.
“The challenges facing Somali children include the perilous journeys of illegal migration across seas and deserts; manipulation by extremist groups; clan divisions; drug abuse; and the exploitation of underage children for labour that robs them of their future,” Prime Minister Hamza stated.
Prime Minister Hamza reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting the rights of Somali children, highlighting the enactment of important laws and policies aimed at safeguarding their wellbeing. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that every Somali child has access to quality education and proper healthcare services, both essential pillars for national progress.
“We have realised that when a child lacks education, it is equivalent to a country without a future. For Somalia to have a future, the key lies in creating one for our children, by ensuring they receive proper education, care, and nurturing,” he said.
The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Family and Human Rights and its Minister, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzumi, for their unwavering efforts to advance and defend children’s rights in Somalia. He urged all government institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners to strengthen collaboration in protecting and uplifting Somali children.
The event underscored Somalia’s ongoing commitment to child protection, human rights, and building a stable, resilient future for the next generation.
