A Collaboration has made with Oromia Regional Leadership to Establish Historic Child Rights Steering Working Group || Ratson

Published: July 24, 2026 | Category: News & Updates / Policy & Advocacy

Finfinnee, Ethiopia — In a major step toward institutionalizing child rights governance in the region, the Ratson Women, Youth and Children Development Programme joined a high-level strategic consultative meeting with senior Oromia Regional Government officials. Hosted by the Head of Chaffe Oromia, Hon. Tariku Negash, the meeting brought together key sector bureaus, government institutions, and civil society partners to lay the groundwork for a dedicated Oromia Regional Steering Working Group.

This multi-sectoral mechanism is designed to streamline efforts across public planning, legislation, and budgetary allocations to safeguard and empower every boy and girl in all their diversities across Oromia.

🔑 Key Focus Areas of the Initiative
Strengthening collaboration between government institutions and civil society is central to realizing long-term, child-responsive developmental goals. The proposed Regional Steering Working Group will focus on three core pillars:

📊 Child-Responsive Budgeting & Policy Alignment:

Monitoring and influencing regional policies, public budgets, and social service delivery to ensure resource allocation directly aligns with the actual needs of children.

🏛️ Systemic Multi-Sectoral Coordination:

Creating a structured bridge between civil society organizations (CSOs) and regional sector bureaus to foster joint accountability, clear communication, and transparent governance.

📣 Evidence-Based Advocacy & Child Participation:

Establishing a data-backed framework to track child rights commitments while directly centering children's voices in high-level decision-making processes.

💡 Driving Sustainable Change
During the consultation, Ratson emphasized the critical need for a sustained, institutionalized platform that moves beyond ad-hoc interventions. By establishing a formalized steering group, regional leaders and child rights advocates can provide clear strategic leadership, track national and international treaty commitments, and respond dynamically to emerging child protection challenges.

"Strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration is essential to ensuring child-responsive planning, budgeting, and lasting accountability across Oromia."

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment from all participating stakeholders to finalize the formal structure of the Steering Working Group—paving the way for a safer, more inclusive environment where children can thrive.

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