Children are a vulnerable group, hence, they need special protection. This is provided through ratifying children-protecting instruments; e.g., Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). Botswana acceded to the CRC and ACRWC in 1995 and 2001 respectively. Beyond ratification and domestication of these instruments, rights must be asserted through justiciability mechanisms, or else, they remain paper rights. Amongst others, justiciability is effected through state reports. Using a mixed methods approach, this study investigated the question; ‘is Botswana complying with her reporting obligations?’ It concluded that she was in breach and, thus, fails to respect, protect and fulfil children’s economic, social and cultural rights. This position contradicts claims that Botswana is children-friendly as stated by publications such as The African Report on Child Wellbeing. However, Botswana can redeem herself by reporting on what she is doing for children.
The Protection of Internally Displaced Children in Africa: A Doctrinal Analysis of Article 23(4) of the African Children's Charter
