-2General Measures of Implementation 2.1 Measures taken to recognize, respect and promote rights and duties in the ACRWC 20. The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) is a member of both the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU). It ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) in 2002. Prior to this, it ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1990 and its accompanying Optional Protocols on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC) in 2001, and on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) in 2002. It has further ratified a number of conventions protecting the rights of especially vulnerable groups, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Minimum Age Convention and Convention on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. In addition, the GoSL has committed to various global, continental and regional plans of action to respect, protect and promote the rights of children. As a party to UN General Assembly’s Plan of Action – A World Fit For Children (2002), it reaffirmed its obligation “to take action to promote and protect the rights of every child” and to put in place “effective national legislation, policies and action plans and allocate resources to fulfil and protect the rights and to secure the wellbeing of children”. It was also a party to the Pan African Forum for Children’s Plan of Action – Africa Fit for Children (2001) in terms of which it committed to prioritize and pursue action to address a number of core issues which commonly threaten the enjoyment of the rights of children on the African continent. 21. Likewise, it has committed to a number of continental and regional sectoral plans together with other African Ministries to promote the protection and realization of the rights of children and women. For example, in the health sector, it has, in terms of the Abuja Declaration and Plan of Action: Roll back Malaria – committed to intensify efforts to reduce malaria morbidity; in terms of the Abuja Declaration on HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and other related infectious diseases – to lead the battle against HIV and AIDS on the continent, especially in so far as it impacts women and children; in terms of the African Health Strategy (2007-2015): Strengthening the Health System for Equity and Development in Africa – to strengthen Africa’s health systems to benefit the most marginalized, with a focus on women and children; and in furtherance of the African Union’s Campaign for Accelerated Reduction in 2. General Measures of Implementation  7