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Implementing Kenya Children's Act 2022

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 Section 28 (1) of the Children Act 2022: Are Children's Rights to Assemble, Picket, and Air their Views Implementable in Kenya?" Source:Pinterest The recent enactment of the Children Act 2022 in Kenya marked a significant milestone in safeguarding the rights of children. However, as we celebrate this achievement, it is crucial to assess whether the implementation of the Act's provisions aligns with the spirit and intent of empowering children to exercise their rights. In particular, Section 28 (1) of the Children Act 2022 (being one of newest addition into the Act) grants children the right to assemble, picket, and air their views, deserves closer reflection in light of the prevailing circumstances in Kenya. I am compelled to reflect on the challenges children might face in exercising this fundamental right and wonder the impact of restricted civil liberties on their perception of their own rights. Ensuring Consistency with Constitutional Provisions: It is perplexin...

Ensuring Inclusive Care Reform for Children with Disabilities in Kenya

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  Source:Pinterest Is Kenya's implementation process of care reform adequately prepared to cater for children with disabilities?  Despite conducting a population census every ten years, Kenya lacks clarity on the categorization and inclusion of children in residential care. The census reports do not provide data on institutionalized children, making it challenging to account for them accurately. Interestingly, the country still remains largely unaware of the actual number of vulnerable children in institutionalized or non-institutionalized settings, despite regular population and household census efforts.  In 2020, the National Crime Research Centre, in collaboration with the State Department of Children Services, made the first-ever attempt to census children in residential care institutions. This study aimed to shed light on the status of child protection in Charitable Children's Institutions (CCIs) across Kenya, which have attracted significant government attention due...

Reflecting on the Day of the African Child-June 16th: Safeguarding African Children in the Digital Age.

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Source:Pinterest This year's theme is: " The Rights of Children in the Digital Environment".   The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of education, opening up a world of possibilities for children. However, with this newfound access comes the responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being in the online space. Are we prepared to guide and protect our children from the potential risks of the digital space? How effective are child protection measures in safeguarding their rights? Empowering Children through Digital Education: The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the importance of leveraging the digital space to ensure uninterrupted access to education. Children now have the opportunity to explore virtual classrooms, access vast knowledge repositories, and engage with interactive learning tools. This digital leap has the potential to empower children with the skills they need to thrive. However, it is crucial that we equip them with the knowledge ...

International Family Day 15th May 2023

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  Source: Pinterest "Investing in The Future of Our Children Means Investing in The Future of Our Nation". The International Day of Families, established by the United Nations in 1993, is an annual celebration that emphasizes the significance of family networks while shedding light on the various social, economic, and demographic challenges faced by families worldwide. This observance serves as a platform for the UN to recognize the evolving nature of family structures due to factors such as social, economic, and demographic shifts. It is a day dedicated to honoring and embracing all types of families. In 2023, the International Day of Families aims to increase awareness regarding the influence of demographic trends on families. On May 15th, Kenya joined the global commemoration of this year's International Day of Families under the theme of "Demographic Changes and Family Wellbeing." This occasion provides an opportunity to enhance understanding of social, ...

Why it is Costly to Implement a Development Program in Kenya

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Source: Pinterest Kenya is a developing country with a growing population and a high poverty rate. The government and development partners have been working to implement programs that provide social services to the people of Kenya. However, implementing these programs is not an easy task, and the cost of doing so is very high. In this article, we will explore the reasons why it is expensive to implement development programs in Kenya.  The Kenyan government is responsible for providing social services to its citizens, such as healthcare, education, and housing. However, due to budget constraints, the government is not able to allocate enough funds to these sectors. As a result, development partners have to step in to fill the gap. This puts a strain on their budgets as they have to provide resources and funding that should have been provided by the government.  Governments in countries like Kenya often rely on development partners, such as international organizations and N...

How Effective Oversight Can Strengthen Foster Care as a Panacea to Institutionalization

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Source: Pinterest_ lovemotherblog.com From Regulation to Resource Allocation Foster care is an essential part of the alternative family-based care system in many countries, including Kenya, where institutionalization has been a common practice for orphaned or vulnerable children. It is currently the most prevalent family-based alternative option following the global shift from institutional care to family-based care. This is because, foster care is one of the options that can be readily available and easy to place a child in emergency situations such as abandonment, family crisis, lost child, and natural and man-made disasters among others. Although foster care has been flaunted as a panacea to institutionalization for children who are unable to live with their families for various reasons, its effectiveness as an alternative to institutionalization heavily depends on several factors, including effective oversight and resource allocation. In this article, we explore the importance of...

Uncovering the Harsh Realities: How Increasing Surrogacy Demand is Putting Surrogates from Poor Countries in Danger

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  Source: Pinterest Surrogacy has become an increasingly popular option for couples who are unable to conceive naturally. However, with the rising demand for surrogacy, there has also been an increase in the exploitation of surrogates from poor countries. These surrogates are often lured by the promise of a better life and a significant amount of money. Unfortunately, the reality is quite different. Many of these women are left at risk of exploitation, abuse, and even death.  Surrogacy in poor countries is often unregulated, and surrogates are not provided with adequate legal protection. It is not even clear what happens if the commissioning client changes their mind in the course of the pregnancy. The surrogate may have to abort, or else have to bear the burden of bringing up the baby if they opt to carry the pregnancy to the term. This makes it easier for surrogacy agencies to take advantage of these women by offering them lower compensation or by exploiting their lack of ...