Luanda – The commissioner of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Wilson Adão, Thursday in Luanda, defended reinforced actions of protection of children against mistreatment and sexual violation.
The expert was speaking to journalists at the end of an audience with the minister of State for Social Affairs, Carolina Cerqueira.
Wilson Adão on the occasion stressed the need for an end to impunity, by holding accountable offenders who put in danger the social, psycho-social and emotional wellbeing of the child.
According to him, 15 to 17 cases of child rape and sexual abuse are recorded everyday in the country, most involving members of the same family.
He also spoke of the need for investment on actions that promote child rights and wellbeing, including the access to primary healthcare and education.
According to the official, child rights protection requires a concerted action involving the Government and the civil society, as every citizen are supposed to engage in the safeguard of those vulnerable.
On the other hand, Wilson Adão said during his term as African commissioner, he will seek to sensitise the organisation into increasing investments in favour of children in Angola and serve as a connecting element in actions to protect children in the country.
He also announced that the 37th Summit of the African Committee of Experts on Rights and Welfare of Child will be held from 15-26 March.
For her part, minister Carolina Cerqueira expressed the government’s commitment to the promotion of actions and projects that contribute to child welfare in Angola, through partnerships with private institutions, the civil society and churches.
The minister also stressed the need for the African Committee of Experts on Rights and Welfare of the Child to operate on a spirit of cooperation and multilateralism with other regional and international organisations who deal with child welfare, particularly in Africa.
The African Committee of Experts on Rights and Welfare of the Child is an 11 independent member organ, responsible for watching the enforcement of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, examining reports submitted by party states etc.
