ECOWAS Lawmakers Tackle Child Protection Failures

West African lawmakers convened in Freetown for a five-day ECOWAS meeting to address the implementation failures of child protection laws across the region. Despite the adoption of multiple frameworks, including the ECOWAS Child Policy and a strategic plan for action from 2019 to 2030, the reality on the ground reveals a stark contrast, with increasing numbers of children forced into street life due to poverty, family breakdown, and weak social safety nets.

The session highlighted the urgent need for policy shifts and enforcement, particularly regarding cross-border coordination to combat child trafficking and exploitation. Sierra Leone's recent legislative reforms, including a revision of the Child Rights Act in 2025, were noted as a potential benchmark for aligning domestic laws with international standards.

Lawmakers emphasized the importance of engaging with civil society organizations and frontline practitioners to address service delivery gaps. The ECOWAS Commission is expected to provide policy briefs to guide legislative reforms, with a focus on tightening legal frameworks and enhancing oversight of child protection institutions.