Project Background
|
The National Children Database represents national accountability system with linkages to respective sectors and Ministries in reporting results achieved as part of their obligation to the children of Kenya as contained in the social pillar of Kenya Vision 2030.The aim of having the Database is to produce high quality and timely data that will be used to support evidence based planning and efficient monitoring of progress towards the achievement of Vision 2030 and development goals. With the data, Kenya will be in a position to produce credible, timely and reliable information on programmes/policy performance and improve target setting and measurement of progress. The Database is based on the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) which Kenya ratified and domesticated through the Children Act 2001. It is intended that the National Children Database will give impetus in the right direction for ministries and other development agencies to produce and maintain data on child rights and child protection in line with the following salient features:- i. The Right to Survival – This is to guarantee that children are born, nurtured and grow in a conducive and secure environment. They have a right to the highest attainable standard of health and appropriate health facilities and services. It calls for special measures to be put in place by the government and other duty bearers to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases. ii. Right to Development – This is to ensure that children have access to free and compulsory basic education to enable them become creative and productive members of society. This includes access to information, play and leisure, cultural activities and the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It calls for provision of alternative quality non-formal education (NFE) within the education policy framework for children who are unable to access formal education, beyond the basic mandatory. iii. Right to Protection – This embraces rights to survival and development but also seeks to protect children from any form of abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all violence, inhuman treatment and punishment and hazardous exploitative labour. The goal is to guarantee that children are protected from all forms of maltreatment as well as special care for children with disabilities and children without families. iv. Right to Participation – This seeks to facilitate the involvement of children in all aspects in society in keeping with the child’s evolving capacities. The right calls for provision of appropriate and accurate information at all stages in their growth to enhance their participation, freedom to express opinions and generally right to play an active role in society at large. |