Rabat: Participants at the African Child Parliament Forum, organized by the National Observatory for Children’s Rights (ONDE) under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the Effective Presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, called for the establishment of an African platform for dialogue and consultation on the challenges facing the continent.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, they highlighted Morocco’s experience with the Child Parliament as pioneering, providing children with an innovative framework to express their opinions, engage with decision-makers, and contribute to national debates, while serving as a force for proposals and actions promoting their rights.

In this context, Chad’s Minister for Women and Early Childhood, Kitoko Gata Ngoulou, emphasized that the forum is an opportunity to recall the collective responsibility of states, noting that the rights of participation and expression granted to children constitute genuine commitments that governments must honor.

She also called on African states to create conditions conducive to the effective implementation of children’s rights across the continent, expressing hope that this event will help redefine concrete actions in favor of children. She added that the conclusions and recommendations of the forum are intended to guide future decisions and influence public policies, with a direct impact on the lives of millions of African children.

Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace Kollie, stated that her country’s participation illustrates the strength and depth of the long-standing relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Liberia, a partnership based on a shared commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of all children.

Despite cumulative achievements in child protection, many children still lack access to education and healthcare, she noted, highlighting the urgent need to implement ambitious policies and concrete actions in this area. She added that this forum will strengthen regional collaboration and reaffirm the shared commitment to an inclusive future for all children on the continent.

For her part, the Gambia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Fatou Sanyang Kinteh, observed that this first edition provides an opportunity to create a platform for exchange, debate, and discussion. She emphasized that Gambia’s participation demonstrates the desire to establish a collaborative framework and to draw inspiration from Morocco’s successful experience, ensuring optimal protection for African children.

The Gambian minister advocated for the promotion of children’s rights, calling for the active involvement of human rights institutions in finding solutions to the challenges faced by African children.