A Call to Action for Justice, Dignity, and Rights of Street-Connected Children

In 2016, Glad’s House Kenya spearheaded a transformative moment in child rights advocacy by bringing together key stakeholders from civil society, government, and international partners. The result was The Mombasa Resolution — a groundbreaking commitment to end the criminalization of street-connected children and youth in Kenya.

The Mombasa Resolution recognizes that children do not choose to live on the streets — they are driven there by poverty, abuse, neglect, and systemic failures. It challenges the harmful narratives that blame and punish these children for circumstances beyond their control.

Core Principles of the Mombasa Resolution:

• No Child Belongs in Prison for Living on the Streets
  Street-connected children should be protected, not prosecuted. The resolution demands an end to arbitrary arrests and the use of detention as a default response.
• Children Are Rights-Holders, Not Offenders
  Every child, regardless of their situation, is entitled to dignity, protection, education, healthcare, and participation in society.
• A Shift from Punishment to Protection
  The resolution calls for a rights-based, child-centered approach within justice and protection systems, promoting rehabilitation, reintegration, and family-based care.
• Collaboration for Sustainable Solutions
  It emphasizes the importance of coordination between government, civil society, and communities in designing long-term responses that tackle the root causes of street involvement.
• Policy Change and Accountability
  The resolution advocates for reform of national and local policies that criminalize poverty and exclude children from services and support systems.

Why It Matters

The Mombasa Resolution is more than a document — it’s a movement. It represents a shift in how society views and responds to vulnerable children and youth. It calls on all actors to replace punishment with protection, and charity with justice.

At Glad’s House Kenya, we continue to champion the spirit of the Mombasa Resolution in all our programs — from outreach to juvenile justice advocacy — ensuring that street-connected children are not forgotten, but prioritized.

Because justice starts with recognizing that every child matters — not in theory, but in practice.