Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 2. General Measures of Implementation ................................................................................. 7 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 3. Definition and Age of the Child (Article 2) ...................................................................... 30 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 4. The right to non-discrimination (articles 3 and 26) ................................................................. 34 Best interests of the child (articles 4) ....................................................................................... 36 Survival and development (article 5) ....................................................................................... 37 The right to a name, nationality, identity and registration of birth (article 6) ....................... Freedom of expression and rights to be heard, participate and to information (articles 4 and 7) ... Freedom of thought, conscience and religion (article 9) ......................................................... Right to the protection of privacy (article 10) ......................................................................... Protection against child abuse and torture (article 16) ........................................................... 38 41 43 44 44 Family Environment and Alternative Care ...................................................................... 45 6.1 6.2 6.3 7. 30 30 31 32 33 Civil Rights and Freedoms ...................................................................................................... 38 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 6. The definition of a child ........................................................................................................... Minimum age for recruitment into armed forces .................................................................... The age of sexual consent and marriage ................................................................................. Minimum age of employment / child labour ........................................................................... The minimum age of criminal responsibility ............................................................................ General Principles ....................................................................................................................... 34 4.1 4.2 4.3 5. Measures taken to recognize, respect and promote rights and duties in the ACRWC ............ 7 Measures to promote positive and discourage harmful customs and traditions ................... 15 Structures to coordinate and monitor implementation of the ACRWC ................................. 21 Involvement of civil society, children and youth in implementation and monitoring of the Charter ............................................................................................................................... 27 Measures to make the Charter known to children and adults ............................................... 29 Parental guidance and parental responsibilities (article 20) ................................................... 45 Separation from parents and alternative care (articles 19, 23 and 25) .................................. 46 Protection against abuse, neglect and exploitation (articles 16 and 27) ................................ 53 Health and Welfare ................................................................................................................... 65 7.1 7.2 Children with disabilities (article 13) ....................................................................................... 65 Health and health services (article 14) ..................................................................................... 67 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.3 7.2.4 Recognition of health care as a central developmental imperative ................................ Health systems strengthening ...................................................................................... Maternal, infant and child health ................................................................................. The GoSL’s national response to HIV and AIDS .............................................................. 67 68 70 83 Contents  iii