Landmark Child Protection Guidance Launched Across 55 African States
On Thursday, November 27th, 2025, a groundbreaking new standard of protection was launched for an estimated 35 million children without parental care across Africa. The General Comment Number 10 on Article 25 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) was unveiled at the 46th session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) in Maseru, Lesotho.
This new standard, developed over several years through a partnership between the Committee, government representatives, child-focused organizations, academic institutions, child rights scholars, and children and young people, aims to provide a higher level of protection for children without parental care.
SOS Children’s Villages, the world’s largest charity supporting children without, or at risk of losing, parental care, was the lead partner in this project, providing significant technical and funding support.
The General Comment on Children without Parental Care is a critical step towards care reform across Africa. It promotes effective, tailored support for children without parental care, addressing the root causes of institutionalization. It is specifically tailored to fit African cultural contexts and the needs of children without care in African countries.
Currently, institutional care remains prevalent across Africa, and children without parental care face numerous risks. These include exposure to sexual and other forms of abuse, substance and drug abuse, hazardous work, mental health issues, inadequate nutrition, limited access to education and healthcare services, and living in environments that are not conducive to their emotional and physical well-being.
The General Comment outlines the following key points:
1. Care reform must be a priority to ensure that children receive high-quality, family-based care.
2. Steps must be taken to prevent children from being separated from their families, such as early identification, targeted support, and community-based interventions to strengthen families and prevent separation due to factors such as poverty, violence, or lack of access to services.
3. Family-based care must be promoted, and alternative care must be a last resort, with the eventual goal of eliminating it where possible to avoid any risk of institutionalization.
4. Children must participate in decisions that affect their lives, and they should be included in the development of care policies and practices.
5. Legal and policy frameworks must be strengthened to protect the rights of children without parental care, including the establishment of robust gatekeeping mechanisms, monitoring and periodic review of care placements, and the development of national care reform strategies.
6. Active efforts must be made to ensure that stakeholders and those implementing the policy are aware of it and are supported in its implementation.
The General Comment also provides guidance for specific protected groups, such as children with albinism or disabilities.
Firew Bekele, Head of Advocacy and Communications for Eastern and Southern Africa for SOS Children’s Villages International, who worked with the Committee on developing this document, stated, “This General Comment will now serve as a basis for child rights advocates in the continent on how they engage member states of the African Union in fulfilling their responsibility of creating the appropriate legislative and other necessary measures to protect the rights of the 35 million children without parental care.”
“This document is a significant achievement for children, young people, and child-focused civil society organizations who have collaborated for more protection and support from duty bearers.”
In September, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the UK launched the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform, which was officially endorsed by SOS Children’s Villages UK.
Alison Wallace, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages UK, said, “This is a groundbreaking achievement that will change the lives of millions of the most vulnerable children in Africa. It demonstrates the value of care reform that is evidence-based, context-specific, and has the buy-in of participating countries.”
“As a charity that supports children around the world, SOS Children’s Villages is working to reform care globally by helping governments to expand foster and kinship care and ensure that alternative care for children becomes temporary, not the norm.”
From our work with the FCDO to help implement the UK’s Global Charter on Care Reform, to the work of our colleagues in creating this landmark legislation for children without parental care across Africa, at SOS Children’s Villages, we are leading by example in showing that it is possible to advocate for global leadership to come together and change the ways things work to promote the best interests of the children most in need.”
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.