The Agreement to Protect All Girls

Various international instruments and conventions aim to protect the rights of children, and the girl child in particular, from discrimination, violence, and other forms of abuse.

1. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)Adopted by the United Nations in 1989, the CRC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world. It sets out the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of all children. It specifically addresses issues like discrimination, harmful practices, and protection from abuse.
2. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)Adopted in 1979, CEDAW is often described as the international bill of rights for women. It includes provisions that concern the rights of the girl child, such as education, health, and protection from violence and harmful practices.
3. The Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child PornographyThis protocol focuses on the protection of children from sale, prostitution, and pornography. It emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in these matters.
4. The Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Involvement of Children in Armed ConflictThis aims to protect children from being recruited and used in hostilities.
5. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the ChildAdopted by the African Union, this charter emphasizes the rights and welfare of African children, providing for protection from harmful social and cultural practices, including those that are prejudicial to the welfare of the girl child.
6. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for ActionAdopted in 1995 during the Fourth World Conference on Women, this declaration recognizes the rights of the girl child and addresses areas of concern such as health, education, violence, and economic exploitation.
7. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)While not a legal instrument, the SDGs, adopted in 2015, provide a global framework for addressing a range of issues, including gender equality. Goal 5 specifically targets gender equality and aims to end all forms of discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against women and girls.

Countries that are party to these conventions and agreements are expected to adopt and enforce national laws and policies in line with the principles and provisions set out in these instruments.