APRM • SECOND COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA iii) Land management systems and institutions should develop procedures and strategies to promote gender equity in public land allocation, management and use. Education programmes and information campaigns for the public should emphasise the rights of women to inherit land (Government, Civil Society) v) Government should strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies to combat gender based violence in accordance with the law and increase awareness on the legal rights of victims to access justice through the national legal aid education programmes. (Government, civil society) 3.9 OBJECTIVE 7: PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS 3.9.1 Summary of the Country Self-Assessment 213. Since 2006, Constitutional provisions have sought to protect youth and children from violations such as forced labour, slavery, and servitude, The Counter Trafficking in Persons Act, 2012 criminalises all forms of trafficking and the amended Education Act outlaws corporal punishment in schools. The Employment Act 2007 sets the minimum age for employment at 16 years and prohibits the employment of children less than 18 years. The Basic Education Act 2013 makes education compulsory up to secondary school level. Several other laws, policies and action plans have been established to protect the rights of children, including vulnerable children. 214. The (former) Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development set up a toll-free hotline, “child line” so that the public could report cases of child abuse. The Legal Aid Bill 2013 recognises children as being eligible for legal aid. The National Registration and Identification Act, 2012 makes birth registration compulsory and free. 215. There is lack of awareness of recourse by victims and persistent neglect and violence against children. Children continue to bear the brunt of poverty, particularly those with HIV/AIDs. While education is free and compulsory, constraints include inadequate teachers and classrooms and teaching resources; teachers and classes are few. 216. The 2006 CRR noted the existence of the National Youth Policy which provided a framework for youth including those with disability, street youth, youth affected by HIV/AIDS, female youth, unemployed youth and out-of-school youth were to be effectively addressed and coordinated. High levels of youth unemployment were noted and the CRR found that the government undertaken various measures including enacting laws to protect children from defilement, rape, female genital mutilation and early marriage; a national action plan to combat violations of children’s rights and intensification of civic awareness programmes on the rights of children and young people, as well as a multi-dimensional programme to cater for youth issues. | 116 |