The Centre for Human Rights, in partnership with the Centre for Child Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria hosted the 2026 Advanced Human Rights Course on the Rights of Children in Africa, bringing together over 30 participants from diverse countries and professional backgrounds. The course was hosted in a hybrid format.
The central objective of the course is to provide individuals whose work affects the lives of children, whether directly or indirectly, with theoretical and practical knowledge and skills on the rights of children, and on how to promote, monitor and implement the rights and welfare of children. The course shines a spotlight on the African context and contextualises the universal children’s rights discourse to the region. It capacitates participants with knowledge and practical skills to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of children’s rights and welfare in Africa.
The course covered a wide range of themes, such as the historical foundation of children’s rights, the normative framework, access to justice, intersectionality and vulnerability, contemporary issues in children’s rights, child’s rights advocacy strategies, and the implementation and enforcement of children’s rights.
On the final day of the course, participants took part in a case discussion relating to the decision of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child’s in the case of CRRN, IHRDA and CHR (On Behalf of Children Affected by Witchcraft Accusations in Nigeria) v The Federal Republic of Nigeria. The aim of the case discussion was to disseminate the decision, and create awareness of the jurisprudence of the Committee regarding children affected by witchcraft. Led by representatives from the Committee, the Centre and IHRDA, the discussion highlighted the circumstances underlying the case, the recommendations of the Committee, the significance of the decision to the broader discourse on child rights, the potential challenges and opportunities arising from the case to advance better protection for all children, including the most marginalised.
The course continues to be an impactful tool for child rights education in Africa and beyond.
For more information, please conatct:
Childrens Rights Unit
Tel +27 (0)12 420 6209
rotondwa.mashige@up.ac.za