Ethiopia ratifies African charter on rights, welfare of the child

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia (PANA) -- Ethiopia Friday become the 28th member state of the African Union (AU) to ratify the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
An AU press release Saturday said Ethiopia's permanent representative to the AU Commission, Ambassador Konjit Sine-Goris deposited the instrument of ratification to interim Commission chairman Amara Essy.
Ambassador Konjit said on the occasion that the ratification of the charter demonstrates Ethiopia's commitment to the promotion, protection and uplifting of the status of children in the country.
She stressed the importance of the African Charter, particularly in providing care and focusing attention to children's welfare in society, the release said.
"Every society is obliged to accord children special legal protection, guarantee their well-being and create conditions conducive to their freedom, dignity and security," the Ambassador was quoted as asserting.
In response, Essy welcomed the ratification of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child by Ethiopian Government.
He conceded that children and women were victims of abuse and conflicts in parts of the continent, adding that the AU needs to do its best to implement the African charter in order to improve their condition.
The Assembly of Heads of State and Government at its 37th ordinary session in Lusaka, Zambia in July 2001 established the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.