also considerably helped reduce child labour by relieving parents from school payments.To combat
sexual abuse and labour exploitation of children, the Institution of Ombudsman, the Human Rights
Commission, the Ministry of Labour And Social Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry Of
Women, Children And Youth Affairs, and the Police and the courts work in coordination.
The Revised Criminal Code includes provisions regarding all forms of violence, labour exploitation
and abduction. The Federal Supreme Court has issued directive no. 2/2006 which raises the level
and rank of criminal punishments committed against children.
65
The celebration of international
anti-violence day (White Ribbon Day) has helped to create awareness of the social, physical,
psychological and economic effects of abduction, sexual and domestic violence against children.
Prevention and rehabilitation projects are implemented in each regions capital city in collaboration
with the UN and international and domestic NGOs to assist and rehabilitate victims of sexual
violence and child labour exploitation. The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Women, Children
and Youth Affairs in collaboration with UNICEF has established children‟s violence, investigation
and prosecution centers. The two ministries give psychological and legal advice to victims before
they appear before a court of law.66
In cooperation with Addis Ababa University, St. Paul‟s hospital has established a child care centre to
provide medical and psychiatric services for victims of sexual violence. Child protection unites are
established in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Adama, Dessie, Awassa, Mekele and Gonder to combat
violence against children.67 The Gandhi Hospital child care center also gives health care,
psychological services and free legal aid for victims of violence in cooperation with the Ministry of
Justice and the Addis Ababa Health Bureau. In Dira Dawa, a similar center has been established and
the Government is committed to open similar centers in all regional states.
Different measures are taken with regard to the prosecution of offenders. Victim Friendly Benches
(for children to give testimony without fear and panic) have been established in Addis Ababa,
Adama, and Awassa. Four Federal and twenty three Regional Federal Supreme Court juvenile justice
offices have been established to give free legal aid service and psychiatric service for victims.68Child
justice and rehabilitation centres are also being established and coming into operation. A national
coordinating body for judicial administration organs is being established and is being provided with
Ministry of Women, Children and Youth
Ministry of Women, Children and Youth
67 Ministry of Women, Children and Youth
68 Ministry of Women, Children and Youth
65
66
PP 16&20
PP 21
PP 16
PP 17
93