375. A study conducted in 2013 and 2014 revealed the inadequacy of the national
childhood policy document data developed in 2008. As a result, it became
necessary to develop a new national childhood policy document taking into
account new realities. Thus, a preliminary draft document is being developed.
376. The process of harmonization of a national legislation which culminated in the
adoption of a new Criminal Code and the new Personal and Family Code made
it possible to pay greater attention to the rights of children, women and people
with disabilities. The Children’s Code has already incorporated the principles
of non-discrimination in its Article 5.
377. The new Criminal Code penalizes pimping (Article 338 et seq) as well as child
trafficking and forced labour. The results obtained include the following:
- In 2012: 110 cases of child trafficking were recorded, 106 were investigated
resulting in 80 prosecutions and 69 convictions;
- In 2013: 85 cases of child trafficking were recorded, 81 were investigated
resulting in 62 prosecutions and 40 convictions;
- The development of a national social protection policy for vulnerable groups
with an action plan in 2013;
- The establishment of a centralised system for detection and referral of
vulnerable and abused children, with the support of partners such as Terre des
Hommes, UNICEF, Plan International-Togo, Agence Nationale de Solidarité ;
national NGOs and even private companies;
- Initiation of 70 young girls to the creation of micro- entreprises, at the end of
their vocational training.
3.4- The right of the child to be registered at birth and to have a name
378. The registration of the child consolidates his right to the name. The name is
given in accordance with provisions of the legislation including, the Children’s
Code (Article 10 et seq) and the Personal and Family Code (Article 1 et seq).
379. Law No. 2009-2010 of 11 June, 2009 concerning the organisation of the birth
and death registry in Togo lays down the principle of compulsory registration of
births. The registration of the child under Article 18 of the aforementioned Law is
made by a declaration within forty-five (45) days after birth at the birth and death
registry at the place of birth or in the Togolese Diplomatic or Consular Missions, if
the birth occurred abroad.
380. The declaration of birth is the responsibility of one of the child’s two parents,
any person authorized by one of the parents, and, failing that, by the medical doctor
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