Young Africans: Realising the Rights of Children and Youth

Summary: Young Africa provides a new framework for
approaching the entirety of child rights, with
far-reaching implications for policies.

Africa’s children and young people face crisis. Child death rates are rising
and educational enrolment is falling. Children are victims in every war.
Millions of young Africans are contracting HIV and AIDS. Neglected by
society, the continent’s youth are attracted to militarism.

Young Africa pioneers new thinking on the rights of children and young
people in Africa, offering new approaches to tackling the violation of young
African’s rights. This book argues that:

We must take child rights seriously. The United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child lays down fundamental legal obligations on
governments and the international community.

Africa’s children are poor. Realistically, it may take a generation to
overcome the problems of extreme poverty, ill-health and illiteracy.
Young Africans are creatively remaking their societies. Young people are
not just victims: they are seeking ingenious solutions to their
marginalisation. Africa’s religious and cultural vibrancy is led by the young.
Demilitarising Africa’s youth means granting them democratic rights. A
lasting solution to the problem of child soldiers requires giving young
people a role in civil politics.

HIV/AIDS is the number one threat to Africa’s teenagers. A new openness
about young people’s sexuality is essential.

The world will benefit from investing in Africa’s children. Promoting the
health, education and protection of children is essential for development,
peace and security.

Young Africa provides a new framework for approaching the entirety of
child rights, with far-reaching implications for policies.

For more information, visit href='http://www.justiceafrica.org/youngafrica.html'>
Justice Africa.
Owner: Alex de Waal & Nicholas Argenti

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