Eritrea Participates in 98th Session on Rights of the Child – Africa.com
The Eritrean delegation participated in the 98th session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, held in Geneva on 14 January.
Speaking at the meeting, the Eritrean delegation emphasized that the protection and promotion of children’s rights is an integral part of Eritrea’s political direction and beliefs. They highlighted the country’s active efforts to establish a strong legal framework to protect children’s rights. Eritrean law expressly prohibits all forms of discrimination and affirms that every person, regardless of age, nationality or other attributes, is entitled to freedoms and protection without exception.
Regarding harmful practices, the delegation noted that, as a result of ongoing public information campaigns, several districts across the country had declared female genital mutilation-free. Strong alliances were built between government agencies and civil society organizations, and committees were established across the country to implement child protection initiatives.
The delegation reported that a committee composed of representatives of the village administration, the National Union of Eritrean Women, the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students, and other institutions had been formed to promote the rights and welfare of children with disabilities. Eritrea has also accepted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that children with disabilities fully enjoy their rights.
On health services, the delegation emphasized Eritrea’s commitment to ensuring the health and safety of every child, creating a brighter future for all. Eritrea has achieved over 95% immunization coverage and has rolled out vaccines for meningitis A and HPV since 2020. Community-led sanitation initiatives have made most villages in Eritrea free of open defecation. Maternal health has also improved significantly, with maternity waiting rooms flourishing and services for low birth weight infants expanded through enhanced maternal nutrition and prenatal and postnatal care. Eritrea’s integrated HIV/AIDS and malaria response has also achieved notable success.
The delegation also highlighted Eritrea’s commitment to education, particularly in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Quality primary education was ensured for all children and literacy rates across the country increased significantly. The primary net enrollment rate is 81.7%, and the literacy rate has increased to about 70%, a significant increase from the 30% estimated at independence in 1993.
In addition, the delegation pointed to extensive dam construction projects to provide sustainable water supply and enable year-round irrigated agriculture. Currently, 79% of the rural population and 95% of the urban population have access to safely managed drinking water. Schools, offices and other public spaces also benefit from improved water supplies.
The delegation reaffirmed Eritrea’s unwavering commitment to protecting children’s rights and highlighted the collective efforts of government institutions, civil society and communities to achieve these milestones.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Ministry of Information of Eritrea.
