As the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) marked its December Graduations on 11 December 2025, one doctoral graduate’s research placed the continent’s youngest citizens at the heart of Africa’s long-term development. Dr Megha Nkem, who received her Doctor of Laws specialising in Human Rights, centred her work on a question that spoke directly to the continent’s future: how can Africa realise its Agenda 2063 vision if children’s rights remain unevenly implemented or overlooked in practice?

Her thesis, ‘Exploring the Implementation of Children’s Rights within the Framework of Agenda 2063: Key to Achieving “The Africa We Want”’, examines the gap between strong legal protections and the weak implementation that has prevented many African children from realising their full potential. Through doctrinal, comparative, and case-study approaches, her work shows that progress towards 2063 relies on governments turning commitments into consistent, well-resourced action.

Children’s rights as the foundation of Africa’s future

Dr Nkem has long been committed to children’s rights across Africa. She explains that her research focus stemmed from a growing recognition of the gap between legal protections and their implementation: “I was inspired to focus on children’s rights after observing the gap between the strong legal protections and their weak implementation, which limits children’s ability to realise their potential in ways that could meaningfully lead to achieving ‘the Africa we want’.”

Her research explored how implementing children’s rights could accelerate progress towards Africa’s broader development goals. She examined international and regional treaties, the African Union’s measures, and the social, economic, cultural, and political factors that hindered implementation. Dr Nkem’s findings show that aligning national policies with frameworks such as Agenda 2040, Agenda 2063, and the African Children’s Charter provides a strong foundation for improving children’s rights, particularly in relation to education, protection from violence, and meaningful participation. In South Africa, where inequalities in schools and access to quality education remain stark, her work highlights the need for stronger political will, better resource allocation, and coordinated partnerships.

Her research journey was not without difficulty. “One of the biggest challenges I faced was the lack of financial support,” she noted. Limited funding meant she could not travel across the continent or attend conferences that would have enriched the study. She adapted by relying on extensive desktop research, primary and secondary sources, and virtual networks to access perspectives from across Africa.

Despite these constraints, her work made a compelling case for renewed commitment to children’s rights. “I believe my research can help remind governments and stakeholders that when children’s rights are fully implemented, children gain the opportunities and platforms they need to realise and exercise their full potential,” she said. She hopes her findings will encourage African states, including South Africa, to draw more fully on existing continental frameworks when shaping policy.

She also emphasised the need for decisive action – “to see governments prioritise the full domestication, implementation, and monitoring of children’s rights treaties” – supported by stronger governance, accountability, cooperation among regional bodies, and efforts to dismantle socio-economic and cultural barriers that continue to disadvantage children.