HARGEISA, 16 JUNE 2025 (SLpost) — The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Republic of Somaliland hosted a national conference in Hargeisa to commemorate the International Day of the African Child, bringing together children, government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, private-sector representatives, traditional leaders, families and other stakeholders committed to advancing the rights and well-being of children.
The commemoration provided a national platform to recognize the aspirations and potential of Somaliland’s children while highlighting key challenges affecting their access to education, healthcare, nutrition, protection and other essential services.
The event was addressed by H.E. President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to placing children, adolescents and young people at the center of Somaliland’s development agenda.
Strengthening Child Protection
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening child-protection systems and safeguarding children from violence, abuse, exploitation and harmful practices.
In his address, President Cirro announced a Presidential Zero Tolerance Policy on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Gender-Based Violence, directing the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family to accelerate legal and social protection measures for girls and women across Somaliland.
The Ministry will continue working with relevant government institutions, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, development partners and communities to strengthen prevention, protection and response mechanisms.
Establishment of a Children’s Parliament
As part of efforts to promote meaningful participation by children and young people, President Cirro directed the Ministry, in partnership with relevant line ministries, to establish a Children’s Parliament.
The proposed platform will provide children and young people with a permanent opportunity to express their views, raise concerns and contribute to discussions on policies and decisions affecting their lives.
The Ministry considers children’s participation an important component of effective child protection and inclusive social development.
Advancing Social Protection
The conference also emphasized the importance of strengthening social protection mechanisms for vulnerable children and families.
President Cirro announced the creation of a National Zakat Commission, chaired by the Office of the President and involving religious leaders, the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, the private sector and citizens.
The initiative, under the principle of “Somalilander for Somalilander,” is intended to strengthen community-based social protection and contribute to the establishment of a community health insurance system.
The Ministry stands ready to contribute its institutional expertise to this initiative and to ensure that vulnerable children and families remain at the center of social protection efforts.
Tackling Child Hunger and Malnutrition
Child malnutrition and food insecurity remain important concerns requiring coordinated national action.
During the conference, President Cirro highlighted that 14 percent of children in Somaliland are underweight and more than 20 percent are stunted, emphasizing the need for stronger measures to address child hunger and malnutrition.
The government announced plans to strengthen food reserves and expand assistance to families in need while working with the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant institutions to increase agricultural production and strengthen food security.
Expanding Access to Education
The government also reaffirmed education as a fundamental pillar of Somaliland’s development.
President Cirro noted that more than half of Somaliland’s children remain out of school and announced a five-year effort to expand access to primary education, with the goal of ensuring that at least two-thirds of children are enrolled in school.
The proposed measures include literacy campaigns, double-shift schooling and the introduction of a digital curriculum, with the long-term objective of achieving free primary education for all children.
Improving Child Health
Child health was another major priority highlighted during the commemoration.
President Cirro directed the Ministry of Health to work toward achieving 80 percent vaccination coverage by December 2026, with particular attention to children who have not received life-saving vaccines and those living in hard-to-reach communities.
The Ministry recognizes that effective child protection and social welfare require close coordination between health, education, nutrition and social-protection institutions.
Climate, Water and Sanitation
The President also highlighted environmental challenges affecting the future well-being of Somaliland’s children.
Through the Presidential Green Somaliland Initiative, the government plans to plant millions of trees annually across communities, schools and health facilities.
The President further called for stronger waste-management and recycling systems in cities and public facilities and urged collaboration between government institutions and the private sector to improve sanitation and environmental protection.
Strengthening Partnerships
The Ministry expressed its appreciation to international partners, including UNICEF, ambassadors, donors and development organizations, for their continued support for programmes aimed at improving the welfare of children in Somaliland.
The Ministry also acknowledged the contribution of civil society organizations, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders, communities and families.
The protection and development of children is a shared responsibility, requiring sustained cooperation among government institutions and all sectors of society.
Commitment to Somaliland’s Children
The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family reaffirmed that the rights, protection and welfare of children will remain central to its mandate and national development efforts.
The Ministry will continue working with government institutions and partners to strengthen child-protection systems, expand social services, support vulnerable families, promote children’s participation and advance policies designed to create a safer and more inclusive environment for every child.
The Ministry further encourages children and young people to continue expressing their views and participating constructively in matters affecting their lives and communities.
The commemoration of the International Day of the African Child in Hargeisa served as both a celebration of Somaliland’s children and a renewed call for collective action to address the challenges they face.
The Government of Somaliland remains committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, remain healthy, live free from violence and reach their full potential.
Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family
Republic of Somaliland
Hargeisa, Somaliland
16 June 2025
