20th April 2026
Where you’ll find Equality Now at the 47th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
7 min read
Ending child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) is critical to protecting children’s rights and ensuring their full participation in society. Strong, inclusive, and effectively implemented legal systems are essential to protecting children, especially girls, from these violations.
During the 47th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Equality Now will engage with partners, provide legal expertise, and support efforts to advance accountability and strengthen child protection systems across the continent.
Here is where you can find us.
Delivered during the 28th CSO Forum, this statement reflects civil society priorities and raises urgent concerns affecting children’s rights across Africa. It highlights persistent gaps in financing, enforcement, and accountability, and calls for strengthened legal protections and survivor-centred responses to harmful practices, sexual exploitation, and emerging risks.
Time: 11am – 1:30pm SAST
Location: Mpilo Boutique Hotel, Maseru, Lesotho
Equality Now: Caroline Lagat, Legal Advisor, End Harmful Practices
Organised as part of the 28th CSO Forum, this symposium will convene civil society organisations and child rights advocates to examine barriers to ending FGM/C and child marriage. The discussion will focus on legal and policy gaps, the role of strategic litigation, and strengthening the implementation of school re-entry frameworks. It will also explore how survivor-led insights can inform more effective and coordinated responses.
Time: 11am – 1:30pm SAST
Location: Mpilo Boutique Hotel, Maseru, Lesotho
Equality Now: Caroline Lagat, Legal Advisor, End Harmful Practices
During the official session, Equality Now will deliver a statement directed to Member States and the Committee, emphasising the urgent need for stronger implementation of existing legal frameworks. It will call for increased investment, improved enforcement, and greater accountability to ensure children, particularly girls, are protected from harmful practices and violence.
Time: 9am – 11:30am SAST
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
Equality Now: Santana Simiyu, Legal Advisor, End Harmful Practices
Organised by ACERWC in partnership with Equality Now, this event will launch a Thematic Report on Harmful Practices Affecting Children in Africa, examining FGM and child marriage across Africa. Drawing on evidence from ten countries, the report highlights gaps in implementation and protection systems, despite existing legal obligations. The session will present key findings, foster dialogue on barriers to progress, and identify priority actions to accelerate change, while centring the voices of girls as agents of change.
Time: 2pm – 3:30pm SAST
Location: Mathabiseng Convention Centre, Maseru, Lesotho
Equality Now: Sally Ncube, Regional Representative, Southern Africa (speaking)
Equality Now and Girls Not Brides, in collaboration with ACERWC, will host a panel examining the accountability gap in efforts to end child marriage. The session will explore challenges related to financing, legal enforcement, and state obligations, and will highlight practical strategies to strengthen accountability and accelerate progress across the continent.
Time: 2pm – 3pm SAST
Location: Mathabiseng Convention Centre, Maseru, Lesotho
Equality Now: Sally Ncube, Regional Representative – Southern Africa
Let us know you’re coming
If you are attending ACERWC, we would welcome the opportunity to connect.