· To ensure access to water so as to reduce the burden of children fetching water · Ensuring children participation in various issues that have bearing on their rights and welfare. 3. DISSEMINATION OF THE CHARTER In addition to implementing this convention, it is also the duty of the Government to make the principles of the Charter widely known to the public at large and children in particular. Very few children had any knowledge of the Charter. The few who had some knowledge of the Charter’s principles and provisions said it was taught as part of civic education, others during Day of the African Child and in seminars conducted in children centres and Junior Councils. Recommendations: · Introduce the Charter as a subject at schools by introducing a child rights textbook · Conduct seminars on the rights of the child to children and the community at large · Conduct training of trainers among children 4. DEFINITION OF THE CHILD It was the Forum consensus that a child is a person under the age of eighteen years. The forum noted that there are numerous inconsistencies in the way a child or young person is defined. It was their view that the age ten years for criminal responsibility was very low. The age limits for treatment of children or young offenders are inconsistent and need to be harmonized. The minimum age of marriage of 15 years for female was also considered to be too low. It was recommended that the appropriate age for marriage should be set to 18 years. Girls under 18 years considered immature mentally and physically for marital relationship and responsibilities. 88