Africa’s children are still subjected to high levels of physical and emotional violence despite more than a decade of efforts by governments to reverse the trend, according to a new report by the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF).

The report, released last week, calls for a systematic response to child protection across the region.

According to the report, African children face increased levels of physical and emotional violence in domestic settings, at schools, in institutions and in the workplace.

In Rwanda, though some children have reported violence against them and others live in orphanages, in 2011, government established the National Commission for Children (NCC), to promote children’s rights, as well as developed a plan of action to protect children from abuse, violence and exploitation.

However, the report says these risks may be exacerbated in times of political upheaval and conflict, and girls are particularly vulnerable.

It argues that violence against children in Africa is excerbated by social, cultural and economic trends such as urbanisation, deepening poverty and inequality, family fragmentation, and the persistence of traditional norms that do not always correspond to contemporary legal and human rights codes.

"Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, which can take place at home, in school or in the wider community,” it says.

It acknowledges that all African countries have legal provisions criminalising sexual violence, abuse and exploitation.

But despite this, progress has been constrained by lack of efforts and capacity building of professionals working with and for children, says the report.

Most African states have ratified the key international and regional human rights instruments relating to children’s rights and welfare.

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