Traverse Project’s Post

Iraq is to lower the legal age for girls to 9 years old—a shocking and blatant violation of human rights. As an expert on #genderbasedviolence with lived experiences as a child bride, I feel compelled to share this. This change not only strips young girls of their childhood but also exposes them to unimaginable harm, including forced marriages and abuse. International law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasises the protection of children from exploitation and abuse. This decision by Iraq goes against these fundamental principles and puts countless young girls at risk. Childhood is a time for learning, growing, and being nurtured—not for facing the responsibilities of adulthood. Lowering the legal age to 9 is not just a legal issue; it’s a moral and ethical crisis. We must stand up for these girls and ensure their voices are heard. The global community must urgently unite to condemn this action and work towards protecting the rights and dignity of every child. #HumanRightsViolation #ProtectChildren #WomensRights #ChildMarriage #EndChildAbuse #GlobalAction #SaveOurGirls #StandForJustice #HumanRightsMatters

As a legal professional and human rights advocate deeply engaged with the situation in Afghanistan, I find it imperative to highlight the systemic injustices facing Afghan children under the Taliban regime. Boys are often channeled into madrassas, subjected to ideological indoctrination that perpetuates cycles of extremism and conflict. Meanwhile, girls face enforced exclusion, their right to education and self-determination stripped away, veiling not only their bodies but their potential. For families who refuse to accept these conditions, the path to freedom and safety is treacherous. Seeking refuge in Europe often means enduring perilous journeys and navigating complex legal barriers, all while facing political resistance. As legal professionals, we bear a duty to advocate for these voiceless children and their families. Our collective commitment must center on dismantling legal and structural obstacles that deny fundamental rights and access to justice. We must stand firm in support of international protections, ensuring that Afghan children can hope for a future defined not by violence and oppression but by opportunity and dignity. #HumanRights #ChildProtection #Afghanistan #LegalAdvocacy #WomensRights #EducationForAll #Justice #RuleOfLaw #RefugeeRights #AccessToJustice #StopOppression #TalibanRegime #InternationalLaw #ChildrenRights #LegalProfessionals

🌟 👶Empowering Tomorrow: Safeguarding Children's Rights in South Africa👨👩👧🌟 Children, as some of the most vulnerable members of society, deserve special attention and care. They rely on their families, the state, or alternative caregivers for their well-being and protection. Recognizing this, our Constitution prioritizes the rights of children, with a clear mandate that their best interests must always come first. Under Section 28 of the Bill of Rights, aptly titled "Children," we affirm: Every child's entitlement to a name and nationality from birth. The right to family or parental care, and access to suitable alternative care when necessary. Basic necessities such as nutrition, shelter, healthcare, and social services. Protection from all forms of maltreatment, neglect, abuse, and exploitative labor practices. Safeguards against arbitrary detention, ensuring that it's only used as a last resort and with due consideration to the child's well-being. Access to legal representation in civil proceedings, ensuring fairness and justice. Protection from direct involvement in armed conflict, with provisions to safeguard their well-being during times of conflict. At the heart of every decision lies the paramount consideration of a child's best interests. It's not just a legal principle; it's a moral imperative guiding our actions and policies. #children #constitution #legal

The SADC Model law Regional convening has been a great space for igniting powerful conversations and commitments to domesticate and implement the SADC Model law on Eradicating child marriage and protections children already married. From the conversations and commitments: - it’s evident that so much progress has been made by member states in redefining strategies to legislate and align country mechanisms to the model law. -Different stakeholders are cognizant of the collective power to leverage strength and inspire a sense of collaboration. -There’s power leveraging on the expertise of the gate keepers of social norms. While we have achieved significant progress, there’s still more work to be done to fully realise the vision of a harmonized SADC regional framework and domestication. #WeCanEndChildMarriage #EndChildMarriage

World Children's Day 2024 Children's rights are fundamental human rights. In Nigeria,many children face significant challenges, including limited access to quality education, inadequate healthcare,child abuse and unsafe environments to live, play or sleep. We must unite to protect these rights and build a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive. In my interview with Channels Television Network Africa,i discussed the importance of taking concrete steps to enforce child rights law in Nigeria.

Crises uproot education. The situation is particularly dire for girls: once out of school, they're at risk of child marriage, early childbearing and abuse. Ensuring that children have access to education during crises protects their rights, instills a sense of normalcy, and fosters resilience, inclusion and tolerance, supporting the long-term processes of recovery and peace building. #FundEducation

The message from Solomon Islands communities is clear: children deserve childhoods, not marriages. Let’s support this push for change. ✊ The SIEVAP coalition ( Save the Children New Zealand, World Vision New Zealand, ChildFund New Zealand) is urging the Solomon Islands Government to act now. Proposals include raising the marriage age, introducing age verification, and implementing education programmes to protect children’s rights. https://lnkd.in/g_j4kt3h #MakeIt18 #SIEVAP

Why is it imperative to adopt holistic policies towards child returnees from Northeast Syria? In this policy brief, Tanya Mehra and Matthew Wentworth provide a child rights-based approach and offer some observations and recommendations for states ➡️

Please take the time to read more about this critical issue.