Violation of Children's Rights by Traditional and Cultural Practices and the Responses by States in Eastern and Southern Africa

Abstract

This article reviews traditional and cultural practices which lead to violation of children's rights in some of the countries in Eastern and Southern Africa and various measures taken by the States to address them. Traditional and cultural practices reviewed include female genital mutilation, initiation and botched circumcision, virginity testing and child marriages. From the review we conclude that the practices expose children to risks of contracting life threatening and infectious diseases and may lead to loss of lives. Girl children are denied the right to education which entrenches gender inequality.

Keywords:

• violation of children
• traditional & cultural practices
• Eastern & Southern Africa