Webinar Series - Climate Change and Children’s Rights: Leveraging a Child-Rights-Based Approach [1 July 2025]

Climate change is considered an emerging issue in the context of human rights and children’s rights specifically. Evidence shows that governments are committed and investing in climate change mitigation and adaptation focusing on broader issues such as sustainable farming, water resources management, community resilience, disasters preparedness and anticipatory action – to improve on economies, livelihoods and health outcomes. Yet, there is no clear evidence of whether and if so, how governments are ensuring investment is focused on child rights and climate change, both in policy formulation or reform, budget allocation and implementation. 

There is an urgent need in Africa to mainstream a child-rights perspective in climate governance. Children constitute a large portion of the region’s population, and climate shocks threaten their health, development, and prospects. Without prompt action, climate change will entrench inequalities: more children will suffer malnutrition, disease, loss of education, displacement, and other violations of their rights. Millions of children living in informal settlements, rural areas, refugee camps, and conflict-affected regions face increased risks from climate change. The impacts are wide-ranging and devastating: food and water shortages lead to malnutrition and poor health; rising temperatures increase the spread of diseases; extreme weather events disrupt schools and healthcare facilities; and displacement forces children from their homes, exposing them to violence, exploitation, and trauma.

For this first edition of the series, we will focus on leveraging a child-rights based approach to climate action. A rights-based approach means, for example, ensuring climate policies protect the right to education and the right to health, and that children’s voices inform decision-making. It also means mobilizing finance for child-focused adaptation and coordinating cross-border actions for disasters that affect children.

Panellists:

• Prof Elvis Fokala
• Rongedzayi Fambasayi

Moderator: Prof Usang Maria Assim

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Following registration, participants will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the webinar.

We acknowledge the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) funding the African Children's Charter Project (ACCP), for their generous support in making this webinar possible.