LILONGWE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

NRC-CAMPUS
TO : MR PATRICK NDOVIE
FROM : GROUP 3
NAME PASSCODE
MILCAH FAITH MKORONGO 190301408
LINDIZGANI NKHONJERA 190301418
GIFT CHAULUKA 190301500
LUSEKELO MWANGONDE 190301448
JOSEPH THEU 190301516
WANANGWA MHANGO 190301498
FLOID KALITAWO 190301480
CHITANI MALLAH 190301501

PROGRAM : FOOD NUTRITION AND LIVELIHOOD SECURITY

INTAKE : 36

COURSE NAME : CHILD PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT

ASSIGNMENT TITLE : NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND

POLICIES ON CHILDREN RIGHTS

DUE DATE :30th JUNE 2022

INTRODUCTION

There are many international human rights treaties and domestic policies that protect children’s
rights. International human rights treaties are agreements between different governments around
the world. Whereas domestic policies are laws decided by the government and parliament of the
country. Below are some of the international as well as national agreements and policies on child
rights.

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND POLICIES

1. The Hague conference on private international law

The hague conference on private laws (HCCH) is an international inter government organization
that provides legal security and protection for person and businesses whose movements and
activities cross national frontiers. The mandate of the organization is to protect children across the
international frontiers

2. Convection on the rights of children (CRC)

This is an international agreement that incorporates a full range of human rights such as civil,
cultural, economic, political and social right and is monitored by the committee on the rights of
child which reviews and comments on state party reports on the implementation of the convention
and develops general comments in which it elaborates on specific articles of the convention.

3. United general assembly special session on children (UNIGASS)

The UNIGASS on children brought together governments, UN, agencies, hundreds of children
farmers personalities and representatives of civic societies to focus on children’s education, child
soldiers, children with HIV and AIDS, the role of children in decision making and other issues
affecting children. The session resulted into world summit declaration on survival, survival,
protection and development and a plan of action to achieve a set of precise and time bound goals.

4. VSO’s (Voluntary service overseas) safeguarding child protection policy

Safeguarding is the responsibility that an organization has to ensure that their employees and
volunteers, partners, vendors, operations and programs do no harm to children and young people.
Purpose of this policy and associated procedures is to provide clarity to all on how they should
engage with children, young people.

5. United nations declaration of the rights of the child

This is agreement entails that all children have the following rights;

1. The right to have equality, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or
other opinion, or national or social origin.
2. The right to grow up in a health and normal way-free and with dignity.
3. The right to have a name and be a citizen of a country.
4. The right to good food, housing and medical care
5. The right to special care if handicapped in any way.
6. The right to love and understanding, preferably from parents.
7. The right to go school for free, to play and to have an equal chance to be what they are
and to learn to be responsible and useful.
8. The right to be always amongst the first to get protection and relief.
9. The right not to be harmed or to hired for work until old enough.
10. The right to be brought up in a spirit of peace and friendship.

NATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND POLICIES

1. Child care and protection

This is an act that entails the duties and responsibilities of parents and children in ensuring good
growth and development of the children and is subdivided into many divisions which includes
child care and protection by the family in need of care and protection, guardianship, and support
or the children by local authorities

2. National Policy on Early Childhood Development (2017).

This policy is the third version of Malawi ECD Policy. The first one was developed in 2003,
launched in 2004 and mini-reversion was done in 2006 to close gaps and incorporate emerging
issues. The 2017 National ECD was officially approved on 9th November 2017 under the
leadership of his Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.
The vision for this policy is that all children develop holistically. The main goal of Malawi ECD
policy is to promote a comprehensive approach to programs and issues for all children from
conception to eight years of age, including the vulnerable children.

The Malawi ECD policy objectives includes the following: Enhancing provision of quality child
care, survival, growth, stimulation and early learning services, strengthening leadership
management, coordination and capacity building for ECD workers, promoting child rights,
providing parenting education and support, strengthening research, monitoring and evaluation and
also enhancing resource mobilization and leveraging.

The expected outcomes of the Malawi ECD are Accessible, high quality, equitable, integrated and
comprehensive early childhood development services that guarantee children’s rights and
optimum development for all children from conception to eight years of age.

3. Community Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (C-IMCI) Policy

Strategic plans spell out how the government of Malawi will scale up the high impact interventions
to more children and mothers in all villages in Malawi. Increased impact is a function of coverage
of the target population, program’s effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and equity.

The strategy is expected to contribute to a 29% reduction in neonatal mortality, a 43% reduction
in under-five mortality and an 82% reduction in maternal mortality. The vision of this policy is to
keep all children in Malawi healthy and free from all common childhood illnesses so as to survive,
grow and develop to their full potential.

4. Child Care, Protection and Justice Act (No 22 of 2010).

This act was published on 30th July 2010 under the leadership of Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika
President. The act is subject to elimination of child labor, and protection of children and young
people.

The Child Care (Justice and Protection) Act of 2010 prohibits child betrothal, forced child
marriage, and harmful practices against children. The act states that a person who, unlawfully
takes, returns or conceals a child without the consent of the parent or without the consent of any
other person who has lawful custody of the child commits an offence and shall be liable to
imprisonment ten years.
 5. Legal representation

This is policy entails that children are entitled to legal representation as it is their right to be
represented on legal matters. Therefore, a child, guardian or parent may appoint and select a legal
representation of their choice to provide legal representation to the child and the person appointed
is the one who is entitled to practice legal practitioner or any other person lawfully allowed to
provide legal representation ender a written act.

CONCLUSION

In a nutshell, internationally as well as nationally there are many agreements and policies on the
rights of children. The above outlined agreements and policies are some of the international and
national agreements and policies on children rights.
REFERENCE

CRAE (2022). Laws protecting children’s rights. Retrieved from https://crae.org.uk/our-guide-

children-rights-and-law/laws-protecting-children’s-rights.

Malawi government (2017), national policy on early childhood development. Retrieved from
https://www.docsity.com/en/documents/downloading/?id=5099960

Pettman, R (1984). Teaching for Human Rights: Activities for schools. Hodja Educational
Resources, Richmond Vic.