ABSTRACT
Focusing on the challenges that adolescent children are facing in realizing sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), this chapter examines the role that the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) could play in monitoring the implementation of such rights as protected under the African Children’s Chatter. Building on the states’ obligations towards the full realization of SRHR of adolescent children, as embodied in international and regional human rights instruments, the analysis and arguments in this chapter are informed by a child rights approach to implementation of SRHR. In line with its mandate as provide under the African Children’s Charter, and taking inspirations from principles and jurisprudence, both at international and regional level, the chapter suggests possible avenues for the ACERWC to explore in discharging its functions. Particularly, the chapter argues that the ACERWC should do more in strategically engaging countries with restrictive laws and policies which prohibit adolescent children from accessing sexual and reproductive health services, and provide guidance on special protection measures to addressing the major barriers for the realization of the same.
