The Southern African regional launch of General Comment No. 26 (GC26) on Children’s Rights and the Environment with a Special Focus on Climate Change is set to take place in Harare next month. The groundbreaking document, adopted in September 2023 in Geneva, represents a significant milestone in the global fight against climate change and its adverse effects on children.
GC26 is the result of an extensive collaborative effort that placed children’s voices at the forefront. From October 2021 to February 2023, children from over 121 countries, including many from Southern Africa, actively participated in consultations to shape the content of GC26.
Their insights and personal experiences were crucial in highlighting the severe impact of climate change on children’s health, education, and overall well-being. The document underscores the urgent need to address the detrimental effects of environmental degradation and climate change on children’s rights. It clarifies the obligations of governments to combat environmental harm and outlines how children’s rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child apply to environmental protection.
In an effort to localize and implement GC26, the “Take It Home” Campaign has been launched by children, youth, and partners. This campaign calls for the domestication of GC26 by governments throughout the Southern African region.
The regional launch in Harare will serve as a critical platform to raise awareness about GC26 and its significance for the region’s children. The event aims to foster dialogue among key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, children’s rights advocates, and young people themselves. Through these discussions, participants will explore practical ways to implement the recommendations of GC26, ensuring a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for every child in Southern Africa.
