Ensuring a Better Protection for Children Deprived of Family Environment: The Application of Subsidiary Principle in Ethiopia
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Date
2016-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Children deprived of family environment are the most vulnerable group of society and hence
demand special attention and protection. The principle of subsidiarity deals with alternative
childcare options for children deprived of family environment based on the provisions provided
under the CRC, the ACRWC, the Hague Convention and the UNGA. The provisions clearly put
inter-country adoption and institutional childcare options to be considered subsidiary to other
domestic family based childcare options. Accordingly, this study first, explores the existing
national normative frameworks governing the principle of subsidiarity in Ethiopia. It then
discusses the legal and policy gaps based on international child rights instruments ratified by
the country. The status of alternative childcare options in Ethiopia has also been discussed
based on the national guidelines on alternative childcare options. By using semi-structured
interviews and case analysis the thesis further discusses key challenges faced in the
implementation of subsidiarity principle. The study finds out that, despite promising progress
made by the government of Ethiopia in adopting international child rights instruments and
national guidelines, the proper implementation of subsidiarity principle remained major
challenge in the country. Besides, the existing normative frameworks on alternative childcare
options need legal and policy reforms. Yet, comprehensive legal schemes on alternative
childcare options must be adopted by the government to better address the problems.
Furthermore, effective implementations on the hierarchy of alternative childcare options
through strong monitoring and evaluation on the performance of different stake holders
involved on childcares are important. In the process of application, the principle of the best
interests of the child should be given the paramount consideration.
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Keywords
Children Deprived of Family