Committee on the Rights of the Child

101st session

Geneva, 1–28 September 2026

Item 4 of the provisional agenda

Consideration of reports of States Parties

Replies of Burkina Faso to the list of issues in relation to its combined fifth and sixth periodic reports *

[Date received: 9 July 2026]

Part I

Replies to the list of issues (CRC/C/BFA/Q/5-6)

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 2 (a)

1.The review of the draft child protection code is under way but has not yet been completed. However, Act No. 015-2014/AN on the Protection of Children in Conflict with the Law or at Risk serves as the applicable legal framework when needed. This framework is consistent with the Convention in the sense that it incorporates many of the Convention’s principles.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 2 (b)

2.The National Council for Children has not been disbanded but its permanent secretariat has been abolished in order to rationalize resources in the light of the security situation. All of the secretariat’s responsibilities have been transferred to the Directorate General for Family and Children in accordance with article 69 of Decree No. 2024‑1601/PRES/PM/MAHSN of 18 December 2024 on the organization of the Ministry of Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity.

3.In terms of human and technical resources, all staff of the Directorate General for Family and Children, other entities within the Ministry and other ministries concerned contribute to achieving the Council’s objectives.

4.In terms of financial resources, the State budget increased significantly, with the allocation to the Children and Families programme rising from 2,317,461,000 CFA francs (CFAF) in 2022 to CFAF 5,514,157,000 in 2023. In 2026, the Directorate’s staff consisted of 92 employees, including 24 women.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 2 (c)

5.Following the implementation of the National Strategy for the Protection of Children and its action plan, an evaluation is under way and will be followed by the adoption of a new framework that addressed the protection of both families and children.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 3 (a)

6.Act No. 001-2016/AN of 24 March 2016 on the National Human Rights Commission was amended by Act No. 002-2021/AN of 30 March 2021, which designated the Commission as the independent national institution for the promotion, protection and defence of human rights and the national mechanism for the prevention of torture. This dual mandate extends to the protection of children’s rights.

7.The Commission is an independent public authority with legal personality. It enjoys administrative and financial autonomy. It has a headquarters and a staff that grew from 69 in 2024 to 79 in 2025, including 25 women and six persons with disabilities.

8.The Commission receives an allocation from the State budget, which increased from CFAF 458,112,000 in 2024 to CFAF 484,664,000 in 2025.

9.Steps have been taken since July 2025 with a view to enabling the institution to obtain A status accreditation from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 3 (b)

10.Budgeting that is gender-responsive and takes into account children’s rights has been implemented since 2019. As a result of this approach, greater consideration has been given to children’s rights in State budget programmes, with allocations increasing from CFAF 41.18 billion in 2019 to CFAF 89.40 billion in 2020 and CFAF 103.32 billion in 2021. The education, health and social protection sectors accounted for the bulk of this expenditure.

11.In 2025, activities implemented by the Ministry of Family and Solidarity in the thematic areas of gender and children’s rights resulted in a total financial expenditure of CFAF 15,491,926,000 out of a planned allocation of CFAF 18,589,007,000, an execution rate of 92.38%.

12.Gender-responsive expenditure for 2025 stood at CFAF 11,693,271,000 against a planned CFAF 12,150,535,000, representing an execution rate of 96.24%.

13.The physical implementation rates in the thematic areas of gender and children’s rights were 67.21% and 105.57%, respectively, in 2025.

14.In the thematic area of children’s rights, expenditure amounted to CFAF 3,798,655,000 against a planned CFAF 6,438,472,000, a budget execution rate of 92.53%.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 3 (c)

15.Burkina Faso has strengthened its framework for data collection on children’s rights by consolidating sector-specific systems in key areas such as health, education and child protection. Progress has been made in producing data disaggregated by age, sex and geographical area in order to enhance monitoring of the situation of children and the follow‑up of public policies.

16.However, the development of a permanent, integrated and fully harmonized system covering all rights under the Convention is still ongoing.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 3 (d)

17.In Burkina Faso, efforts to ensure children’s access to justice and remedies are centred on the specialization of stakeholders and the strengthening of protection mechanisms, including the establishment of child protection units within the police and social services that facilitate reporting and the referral and care of minors in vulnerable situations or in conflict with the law.

18.The legislative framework, underpinned by the Act on the Protection of Children in Conflict with the Law or at Risk and other laws governing juvenile justice, such as the Act on the Organization of the Judiciary, provides for simplified procedures and diversion measures (protective measures) designed to prioritize the best interests and education of the child over criminal punishment.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 3 (e)

19.Emphasis is placed on maintaining consultation mechanisms between State actors, civil society organizations and the United Nations system to address issues related to child protection. To this end, in September 2022, these stakeholders signed a memorandum of understanding on the transfer and care of children encountered during local security operations.

20.Other than this main measure, the following actions have been taken:

(a)The creation of forums for regular dialogue between local authorities, the national armed forces, the internal security forces and community leaders;

(b)The introduction of public security doctrines focused on direct engagement and partnership with citizens;

(c)The integration of civil society organizations into networks for collecting and analysing information on threats;

(d)The funding of economic stabilization initiatives led by civil society organizations to curb the recruitment of young people by terrorists;

(e)The establishment of a regular consultation framework involving the national armed forces, the internal security forces, local authorities and civil society organizations for the management of early warning alerts;

(f)Public-awareness raising of children’s rights and early warning mechanisms.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 3 (f)

21.Burkina Faso is committed to a sovereign approach to financing its development without rejecting cooperation with technical and financial partners. Thus, the National Development Plan 2026–2030 and the Multi-Year Budget and Economic Programming Document 2026–2028 explicitly establish sovereignty and national leadership as guiding principles of government action. The Government must retain control over strategic decisions, the steering of public policies and the mobilization and allocation of domestic resources. For an example of this approach, see the reply to the issue raised in paragraph 3 (b).

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 4 (a)

22.The new Persons and Family Code set forth in Act No. 012-2025/ALT of 1 September 2025 was adopted by the Transitional Legislative Assembly and promulgated by Decree No. 2025-1232/PF of 25 September 2025.

23.With regard to the standardization of the minimum age for marriage, article 221-1 of the Code stipulates that marriage may be contracted only between a man and a woman who have reached the age of 18, unless a judge grants an exemption from the age requirement on serious grounds and in the best interests of the prospective spouses. This age exemption may not be granted to anyone under the age of 16.

24.The age of majority is 18 years.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 4 (b)

25.In Burkina Faso, measures are taken to combat forced child marriages, which are punishable under article 531-4 of the Criminal Code. Between 2019 and 2022, 67 people were tried and convicted for child marriage.

26.With regard to the care of victims of child marriage, shelters and host families for victims of gender-based violence are available.

27.Efforts to combat child marriage have also been strengthened by the Global Programme to End Child Marriage 2024–2030 and the Sukaabe Rewbe subproject of the Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment and the Demographic Dividend initiative (2024–2028).

28.Preventive efforts include child rights awareness campaigns that addressed child marriage and reached 4,486,908 people. The life skills of 59,826 adolescent girls have been strengthened through safe spaces. The establishment of these safe spaces in internally displaced persons’ camps and resettled villages, and the integration of security and humanitarian considerations into their curriculum, constitutes an inclusive strategy for mitigating the risk of child marriage.

29.All these efforts have led to a reduction in child marriage. The 2021 demographic and health survey found that 38.2% of women aged 20–24 had entered into a union before the age of 18, compared with 53% according to the 2010 survey.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 4 (c)

30.Non-discrimination is the foremost legal principle enshrined in the Constitution, which states under article 1 that all citizens of Burkina Faso are born free and equal in rights; that all persons are equally entitled to enjoy all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution; and that discrimination of any kind, in particular on the basis of race, ethnicity, regional provenance, colour, sex, language, religion, political opinion, property or birth, is prohibited. Article 1 of the Constitution is therefore aligned with article 2 of the Convention.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 4 (d)

31.The Persons and Family Code sets the minimum age for marriage at 18 years for both sexes.

32.The implementation of the national strategies to combat child marriage and female genital mutilation is contributing to a reduction in discriminatory practices against girls and is conducive to their socioeconomic empowerment.

33.From an enforcement perspective, the Criminal Code provides that any public speech or writing that excuses or seeks to excuse discrimination, hatred, intolerance or violence of any kind against a person or group of people on any grounds whatsoever is punishable by imprisonment of between 6 months and 3 years and a fine of between CFAF 300,000 and CFAF 3 million.

34.The right of persons living with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children to access HIV care services without discrimination or stigma is recognized in international instruments and national laws aimed at eliminating HIV-related discrimination and stigma in health facilities and within the wider community.

35.The implementation of the national strategic framework during the period 2021–2025 included the realization of a stigma index study, awareness-raising among persons living with HIV and the training of opinion leaders, criminal investigation officers and officials working to combat stigma and discrimination and to uphold rights.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 4 (e)

36.By adopting the new Persons and Family Code, Burkina Faso has officially chosen to criminalize homosexual practices. The Code states that homosexuality and related practices are prohibited; that any person found guilty of homosexual acts or similar practices or of any conduct likely to promote homosexual or similar practices is punishable by 2 to 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of CFAF 2 million to CFAF 10 million; and that the penalty is doubled in the event of a repeat offence.

37.In addition, where the suspect is a foreign national, his or her expulsion from the country may be ordered (art. 210-3).

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 5 (a)

38.The principle of the best interests of the child is upheld in Burkina Faso through the application of various standards and frameworks for children’s participation.

39.In 2025, the Government began to develop standard operating procedures for determining the best interests of migrant children.

40.In addition, a practical guide on positive discipline for parents, which promotes children’s participation in decisions affecting their upbringing, was developed in 2021.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 5 (b)

41.The Government encourages children’s participation in decision-making bodies. Accordingly, the Children’s Parliament was established to serve as an advisory body to assist the authorities and other organizations on issues affecting children. However, under the bylaws and regulations of the Children’s Parliament, the terms of office of its parliamentary bodies, which commenced in 2018, expired in June 2021 and should have been renewed at that time. Pending the renewal process, the Minister for Family and Solidarity issued a memorandum extending the terms of office of these bodies. This alternative arrangement has made it possible to identify children to participate in important meetings on issues affecting them.

42.No cases of reprisals against children for expressing views on the current context of the country have been reported to date.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 5 (c)

43.Measures taken to effectively lower the number of child victims of road accidents include:

(a)Increased penalties for unsafe road behaviour, which has led to a reduction in accidents;

(b)The installation of speed bumps to force drivers to slow down in areas where children are likely to be present;

(c)The deployment of security officers and volunteer safety assistants near schools to help children to cross roads;

(d)The installation of surveillance cameras on certain roads;

(e)Awareness-raising on observing the Highway Code and wearing a helmet;

(f)The inclusion of road safety education in the preschool, primary and secondary school curricula.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 5 (d)

44.The adoption of Act No. 041-2023/ALT of 21 November 2021 has strengthened monitoring of the digital space, notably by the High Council for Communication, in order to combat disinformation by expanding its competence to include the content of publications on any blog, activist site or influencer account with at least 10,000 online followers. For the same purpose, the Council has published a code of conduct and organized an awareness‑raising campaign for media professionals and the general public on fake news, hate speech and violence on social media. This campaign was conducted in all regions of Burkina Faso. The Act has also enhanced the protection of children against inappropriate content.

45.In addition, on 30 July 2025 the Government adopted a bill on the press and audiovisual communications code. This bill, which has been submitted to the Transitional Legislative Assembly, proposes reforms such as the adoption of a unified legislative framework on the media, including digital media; the strengthening of media accountability; and the modernization of the audiovisual sector. In particular, it provides for the better regulation of media content in order to protect vulnerable audiences, especially children, from content that could harm their development or well-being.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 6 (a)

46.Birth registration is free in Burkina Faso. The aim of this policy is to encourage parents to register all children within the legal time limits and to guarantee children’s right to a legal identity. To this end, Burkina Faso has modernized its civil registry system by acquiring computer equipment and vehicles to facilitate the movement of mobile teams, including in hard-to-reach rural areas, in order to bring services closer to communities living far from civil registry centres. National awareness campaigns are regularly conducted to inform families about the importance of registering births. The digitalization of birth registration is under way. All of these measures have contributed to increasing the birth registration rate, which is estimated to have exceeded 85% in 2015.

47.The National Commission for Refugees was established to ensure the effective protection of the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees, facilitate asylum-seekers’ entry into the country, register asylum applications and issue documents to asylum-seekers, examine asylum applications and grant refugee status, ensure international protection for refugees and find durable solutions for them. Accordingly, the Commission regularly registers refugees and asylum-seekers in Ouagadougou and at its local offices in Dori, Djibo, Ouahigouya and Bobo-Dioulasso. During 2025, it issued 6,338 identity documents, including for children.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 6 (b)

48.Data not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 6 (c)

49.Between 2021 and 2025, the Government made progress in issuing birth certificates to vulnerable children through catch-up campaigns and the modernization of the civil registry system.

50.With regard to education, the lack of a birth certificate is no longer an obstacle to children’s enrolment in school. In fact, school enrolment often affords a major opportunity for students without a birth certificate to regularize their status through the late registration procedure. This is done through special sessions for the issuance of birth certificates, which are organized in coordination with the competent departmental and municipal authorities.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 6 (d)

51.The Persons and Family Code entered into force on 25 September 2025 pursuant to Decree No. 2025-1232/PF.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 7 (a)

52.Under the terms of Decree No. 2020-0259/PRES/PM/MADTC/MSECU/MJ/MINEFID/MENAPLN of 7 April 2020 amending Decree No. 2016-926/PRES/PM/MATDSI/MJDHPC/MINEFID/MENA of 3 October 2016 on the protection of the school environment, any activities within or near school premises that could harm the health or moral integrity of students or negatively affect their psychological development are prohibited. This decree defines the concept of moral harm to students, which includes acts of violence and verbal abuse. Similarly, Order No. 2018-317/MENA/SG of 26 September 2018, setting out the internal rules and regulations of post-primary and secondary educational institutions, prohibits violent games, fighting and verbal abuse on school grounds and in learning environments. It also prohibits the bringing of weapons, including knives, penknives, slingshots, darts and firearms, dangerous toys such as firecrackers, precious objects, large sums of money and pornographic images in any medium, into educational institutions. Sexual harassment, sexual touching, sexual relations and rape are also prohibited.

53.Article 66 of Decree No. 2018-236/PM/MEBA/MESSRS/MASSN/MATM of 8 May 2018 on primary education expressly prohibits corporal punishment in schools.

54.Furthermore, article 533-14 of the Criminal Code provides that any person employed in teaching or in any education system who engages in a sexual relationship with a minor student, apprentice or trainee of either sex is punishable by 5 to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of CFAF 900,000 to CFAF 5 million. Should this sexual relationship result in the pregnancy of the student, apprentice or trainee, the penalty will be 7 to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of CFAF 3 million to CFAF 6 million. The court hearing the case may also impose a ban on exercising the profession of teacher or on working in the education system for a period not exceeding five years. Article 532-12 provides that any person found guilty of excluding a pregnant girl or a girl who refuses to consent to a forced marriage from her family is punishable by 2 to 6 months’ imprisonment and a fine of CFAF 300,000 to CFAF 1.5 million.

55.Other initiatives undertaken include awareness-raising conducted by the Ministry of Education, the child protection services and technical and financial partners on children’s rights, positive discipline and the prevention of violence in the school environment.

56.In addition to the legislative framework and monitoring mechanisms, Burkina Faso is developing innovative educational and psychosocial approaches as alternatives to corporal punishment and all forms of violence against children.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 7 (b)

57.The Government takes a systemic approach to child protection, with child protection networks in place at the national, regional, provincial, municipal and village or sector levels. In addition, there are transit centres, centres to combat gender-based violence, mother‑and‑child centres, children’s shelters and so on.

58.To better protect children in the challenging security context, Burkina Faso has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations system on the transfer and care of children encountered during local security operations.

59.The Government has developed a manual on the care and reintegration of such children for social workers and other actors working in the field.

60.Other measures taken to protect children during military operations include:

(a)Awareness-raising and training for the national armed forces and internal security forces on the rights and the care of specific groups, particularly children;

(b)Continued efforts to secure areas facing significant security challenges;

(c)The intervention and removal of children from areas of operations;

(d)The transfer of children encountered during local security operations to the competent bodies of the Ministry of Family and Solidarity;

(e)Participation in children’s education by allowing them to continue their schooling, promoting their civic responsibility and teaching them trades.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 8 (a)

61.The main difficulties encountered in following up on cases of abused or neglected children are:

(a)The low rate of reporting of cases of violence and abuse;

(b)Insufficient financial resources allocated to the care of child victims of violence and abuse;

(c)Limited public acceptance and ownership of the concepts of parent education and positive parenting;

(d)The need to strengthen partnerships and cooperation between the various stakeholders.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 8 (b)

62.In Burkina Faso, polygamy is a legally recognized form of marriage and therefore is not prohibited. Article 210-5 of the Persons and Family Code stipulates that marriage may be celebrated in a monogamous or polygamous form.

63.In view of the provisions of the Code, polygamy cannot be considered a discriminatory practice.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 9 (a)

64.To provide institutional care for children deprived of a family environment, Burkina Faso has 84 centres for children in distress and 459 approved foster families.

65.A number of measures are being taken to prevent children from being removed from their families owing to poverty, namely:

(a)Building the socioeconomic capacity of vulnerable families through income‑generating activities and vocational training;

(b)Supporting the child protection networks so that they can conduct monitoring;

(c)Paying children’s tuition and training fees.

66.In addition, awareness-raising efforts are conducted to enlist public support with a view to increasing the number of foster families.

67.The following measures are taken to improve the quality of care provided by centres for children in distress:

(a)The organization of monitoring and supervisory visits;

(b)Capacity-building of centre staff;

(c)Funding for the care of the children placed in centres.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 9 (b)

68.In Burkina Faso, confiage is a social and cultural practice that consists in entrusting responsibility for a child’s upbringing and care to a third party, who may or may not be a close relative. Regardless of the relationship between the guardian and the child, the child protection services ensure the same legal protections for every child without any discrimination, thereby safeguarding his or her best interests. If a child receives poor care, such as being neglected, abused or forced to perform hazardous work, he or she may be removed from the guardian’s custody and placed with a foster family or in a childcare facility.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 9 (c)

69.On 11 August 2025, Burkina Faso adopted a national disaster risk reduction strategy for the period 2025–2029 and its associated action plan for 2025–2027. One of the expected outcomes of this strategy is a change in people’s attitudes – particularly those of women and children – towards disaster risks. In relation to this outcome, one action that affects children is action 1.2.2.1 on the integration of disaster risk reduction into school curricula.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 9 (d)

70.See the reply to the issue raised in paragraph 9 (c).

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 9 (e)

71.Under the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2024–2028, various actors regularly carry out initiatives to raise children’s awareness of climate change. These include measures to sensitize children to climate change and reforestation, school garden projects and the integration of concepts related to the environment, climate and living conditions into school curricula.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 10 (a)

72.Analysis of the impact of measures related to access to preschool education in Burkina Faso reveals a major structural transformation, driven by the National Strategy for the Accelerated Development of Preschool Education 2021–2025 and the Presidential Initiative for a Quality Education for All 2024–2028.

73.These various measures have had the effect of doubling the number of children attending preschool in several regions of the country. At the national level, 805 new early learning and preschool education centres have opened in 2025 and 2026, with the preschool enrolment rate rising from 6.9% in 2023/24 to 8.2% in 2025/26.

74.The promotion of inclusive education has contributed to the increased enrolment of children with disabilities in the Burkina Faso education system. The national gross school enrolment ratio at the preschool level stands at 8.2%, with parity between girls and boys. At the primary level, the ratio in 2024/25 was 78.7% – 78.5% for girls and 78.8% for boys.

75.In areas with significant security challenges, access to preschool and primary school is provided through the establishment of temporary emergency learning spaces known as bisongos, including those attached to child-friendly spaces or opened at reception sites for internally displaced persons. The integration of parent education also serves as a key resilience mechanism for maintaining such access.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 10 (b)

76.With regard to measures taken to maintain schooling and enrolment rates at all levels and to ensure safety in schools in view of the security crisis, the Government has acted on several fronts, including by diversifying and expanding educational provision, promoting alternative models of preschool education (such as bisongos and early learning and preschool education centres with one or two classrooms), operating endogenous canteens, involving communities and improving the institutional and regulatory framework.

77.Notable measures for children’s safety and protection include the securing of infrastructure and emergency education mechanisms; an integrated approach to early childhood development centred on the priority areas of health and nutrition, education and supervision and water, hygiene and sanitation; and the strengthening of the legal protection framework.

78.To strengthen security around schools, the Government adopted the Safe Schools Declaration and its guidelines in 2017 and has developed preparedness and response plans and established monitoring committees.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 10 (c)

79.Burkina Faso has made the improvement of basic education a central pillar of its development policies. To meet the challenge of improving the quality of preschool education by 2030, the country is relying on the National Strategy for the Accelerated Development of Preschool Education and the Presidential Initiative for Quality Education for All. Measures of note include institutional reforms and the development of new frameworks, strengthened training of stakeholders, increased provision of learning and play materials and more dynamic local governance.

80.Other measures taken to improve the quality of education and eliminate illiteracy include expanding the provision of non-formal education services and increasing the number of institutions that offer them.

81.Furthermore, efforts have been made to develop and adapt teaching and learning content with a view to improving its quality and relevance. This approach involves revising the curricula of literacy and training centres, non-formal basic education centres and centres established under the Accelerated Schooling Strategy – Passerelle (SSA/P and SSA2 centres).

82.Burkina Faso is also prioritizing digital transformation, notably through the Faso e‑Education platform, which provides learners with access to curricula, courses and learning resources for preschool and primary school and literacy programmes.

83.Another initiative to facilitate learning is the broadcast of lessons, literacy programmes and educational content in French and national languages via the Radiodiffusion Télévision Éducative (Educational Radio and Television) service, which was launched in 2025.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 10 (d)

84.The measures taken by the Government in the area of non-formal education are designed to produce tangible results in reducing the number of out-of-school children and school dropouts. The gradual expansion of non-formal education services, through the establishment of a non-formal basic education centre in each basic education district and a non-formal vocational training centre in each region, is helping to extend the reach of educational facilities and bring their services closer to the communities that are furthest removed from the formal education system.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 10 (e)

85.To promote the right to education of children with disabilities, measures have included the physical adaptation of school facilities to meet their needs (access ramps, accessible toilets); the adaptation of teaching and learning tools, the provision of menstrual hygiene kits and handwashing stations; the promotion of endogenous canteens; teacher training on inclusive education, including during initial training; and the provision of special equipment (glasses, canes, tricycles and Braille tablets) to students. These measures have contributed significantly to raising parents’ awareness of the importance of educating children with disabilities, boosting the number of such children attending school.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 11 (a)

86.In order to improve access to healthcare, the budget allocated to the health sector is steadily increasing despite the security situation: it rose from CFAF 287.005 billion in 2020 to CFAF 371.279 billion in 2024, with an overall growth rate of 29.36% and an average annual growth rate of 6.66% during the period.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 11 (b)

87.The Government continues to develop health infrastructure with a view to expanding health service provision and improving the quality of care and access to healthcare for the general population and for children in particular. Thus, 206 new health and social protection centres and one medical centre with a surgical unit were built and equipped between 2018 and 2022. Thirty-four health and social protection centres in rural communes have been transformed into medical centres. The Government also launched a project to build and equip 240 new health and social protection centres, 13 medical centres with surgical units, two regional hospitals, two university hospitals and two specialized geriatrics and oncology centres.

88.The rollout of universal health insurance since 2024 and the continued provision of free healthcare for women and children under the age of 5 years living in Burkina Faso have led to an improvement in maternal and child health and a reduction in child and maternal mortality.

89.As part of its efforts to modernize health facilities, improve the quality of care and expand health service provision, the Government has adopted the Presidential Initiative for Health. Under this initiative, mobile clinics and cold chain equipment have been placed at the disposal of the health authorities so that they can provide good quality care to the public.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 11 (c)

90.In addition to strengthening health services in areas with significant security challenges, the Government has established advanced health posts to respond to the security situation and bring health services closer to the population. At these posts, children are provided with care, and emergency food and nutrition assistance is regularly distributed to internally displaced persons and host communities.

91.To address malnutrition, the Government runs nutrition programmes for children and pregnant and breastfeeding women, who are provided with fortified foods. It also conducts awareness-raising campaigns on good nutrition and hygiene practices.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 11 (d)

92.Actions taken as part of the zero pregnancy, zero child marriage and zero gender‑based violence in schools (3Z) approach include raising students’ awareness through family life education and equipping them with life skills through Deen Kan clubs, with the aim of creating a safe and protective school environment and fostering responsible behaviour and decision-making. Over time, these measures should help to reduce the number of pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in schools.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 11 (e)

93.In Burkina Faso, abortion may be authorized in cases of rape or incest if the public prosecutor’s office confirms that the pregnant woman is in genuine distress. Under article 513-13 of the Criminal Code, “voluntary termination of pregnancy may be performed at any gestational age if a doctor certifies after examination that the continuation of the pregnancy would endanger the health of the woman or that there is a strong probability that the unborn child has a particularly serious illness or disability recognized as incurable at the time of diagnosis”.

94.The pregnant woman may ask a doctor to terminate her pregnancy within the first 14 weeks (Criminal Code, art. 513-14).

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 11 (f)

95.Accessible mental health support for children is provided through the establishment of mental health and psychosocial support services in fixed and mobile child-friendly spaces and other safe spaces.

96.The impact of the humanitarian crisis on children’s mental health is observed in the form of post-traumatic stress disorders, psychosocial distress and the effects of malnutrition.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 11 (g)

97.The incidence of drug addiction among young people is reflected in acts of antisocial behaviour, declining academic performance and the development of violent behaviour.

98.The following progress has been made in respect of the national strategy:

(a)The draft national drug control strategy (2026–2030) was reviewed and officially adopted on 28 November 2024 at the nineteenth ordinary general assembly of the National Drug Control Committee;

(b)An action plan has been put into operation. Follow-up meetings continue to be held, including the twenty-first ordinary general assembly of the National Drug Control Committee, held in late May 2026 to coordinate interventions on the ground;

(c)Efforts to combat the sale and use of narcotic drugs, as well as tobacco use.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 11 (h)

99.The National Universal Health Insurance Fund was established under Act No. 060‑2015/CNT, which enshrines the principles of national solidarity, equity and risk‑sharing. However, it has only very recently entered into operation. Following the adoption of laws and management tools, rollout has effectively been under way since 2024. Enrolment in the scheme began in 2024 with public-sector employees and indigent persons and is ongoing.

100.On 1 February 2026, the pilot phase of the health insurance scheme commenced for public-sector employees in the Kadiogo and Guiriko Regions. It will subsequently be extended to informal-sector workers, rural residents and vulnerable persons.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 12 (a)

101.As of 31 March 2023, the permanent secretariat of the National Council for Emergency Assistance and Rehabilitation had registered 1,206,607 internally displaced children, accounting for 58.50% of internally displaced persons.

102.In January 2026, Burkina Faso registered 43,402 refugees and asylum-seekers, with children accounting for 52%.

103.The Government has taken several measures to promote birth registration among refugees and asylum-seekers, including raising awareness about the importance of civil status documents and holding mobile court hearings.

104.During 2025, awareness-raising events on the importance of documentation –particularly civil status documents – were held in locations where refugees and asylum‑seekers have settled.

105.In addition, 1,866 civil status documents were issued to refugee children, including 363 through regular procedures and 1,503 through mobile court hearings held in November and December 2025.

106.Refugee and asylum-seeking children have access to education and health under the same conditions as nationals.

107.National legislation on refugee status does not provide for detention of persons on account of their status as refugees or asylum-seekers. Refugees and asylum-seekers benefit from the protection afforded by Act No. 042-2008/AN, the Refugees Act, and the safeguards provided by the Convention. There are no specific provisions authorizing their deprivation of liberty solely on the basis of their migration status.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 12 (b)

108.The evaluation of the 2019–2023 strategy to combat child labour is in progress.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 12 (c)

109.In 2024, there were 2,243 children and young people in street situations, including 135 girls.

110.Measures taken to ensure respect for the rights of children in street situations include return to their families and placement in specialized boarding schools, centres for children in distress and foster families. These measures contribute to preventing the risk of violence against children.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 13 (a)

111.Special arrangements for the care of children associated with terrorists have been put in place within the special judicial unit responsible for the prosecution of terrorist acts. In practice, the country has an agreement with the United Nations system whereby these children are treated as victims of terrorism who should be provided with protection rather than punished under the strict application of counter-terrorism laws.

112.Measures taken to process all children in conflict with the law within the regular juvenile justice system include:

(a)The involvement of assessors in decision-making concerning children;

(b)The use of alternatives to imprisonment such as placement in social rehabilitation centres and foster homes.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 13 (b)

113.The legal framework permits non-custodial measures for minors, such as criminal mediation and placement in rehabilitation centres.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 13 (c)

114.The following actions, among others, have been taken to improve conditions of detention:

(a)Continued efforts to bring gendarmerie detention cells into line with established standards;

(b)The use of alternatives to police custody for children, considering that where this is not possible and police custody is used as a last resort, the legal requirements governing the detention of children must be respected;

(c)Training and retraining of criminal investigation officers on the rights of juvenile offenders.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 13 (d)

115.In judicial practice, children are entitled to the services of a public defender. The Government has established a legal aid fund to facilitate the prompt appointment of lawyers for those most in need, including children. In addition, free legal support is provided by institutions such as legal clinics and human rights counselling centres, which facilitate access to defence counsel.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 13 (e)

116.The protection of child victims and witnesses of crime is ensured through:

(a)Awareness-raising;

(b)Training for humanitarian actors;

(c)The placement of unaccompanied or separated children in foster families or care centres for children in difficult circumstances;

(d)The placement of children encountered during local security operations in rehabilitation and deradicalization centres;

(e)The care of internally displaced children in child-friendly spaces.

117.Furthermore, if the circumstances so require, the following actions are prioritized:

(a)Immediate removal of the child from danger or from the perpetrator;

(b)Provision of safe shelter, food and emergency medical care;

(c)Prompt provision of psychological support to minimize long-term trauma;

(d)Recording of testimony once only to prevent revictimization;

(e)Conduct of interviews by social workers or legal professionals trained to work with children;

(f)Protection of the confidentiality of the child’s identity to prevent retaliation;

(g)Active family tracing for separated or unaccompanied children;

(h)Involvement of community leaders in the day-to-day monitoring and protection of the child;

(i)Training of foster families;

(j)Placement of unaccompanied or separated children in foster families or care centres for children in difficult circumstances.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 13 (f)

118.Measures taken to prevent delinquency include:

(a)The organization of awareness-raising activities for children, parents and the community;

(b)Training in positive parenting for parents and the community;

(c)Counselling for families in difficulty to restore parental authority and a structured environment for children’s upbringing;

(d)The provision of healthy alternatives through sport, culture and access to vocational training and employment;

(e)Education and rehabilitation measures under the supervision of the youth protection authorities;

(f)A focus on community service and citizenship education to foster a sense of responsibility in children.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 14

119.Measures to ensure the protection of children, particularly girls and internally displaced children, include:

(a)The care of internally displaced children in child-friendly spaces;

(b)The construction of schools for relocated communities.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 15 (a)

120.With a view to ensuring the comprehensive security of the national territory and protecting the population and property against the threat of terrorism, the Government is conducting security and defence operations throughout the country to continuously improve the human rights situation, including that of children. In addition, training and awareness‑raising have been carried out for the national armed forces and internal security forces. For example, 110 members of the national armed forces and internal security forces, including 14 women, received training on child protection in 2024; 126 members, including 15 women, received the training in 2025.

121.To ensure that human rights are taken into account in the fight against terrorism, 1,250 copies of the training manual of the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland on human rights and international humanitarian law were produced and distributed in 2023. Similarly, 12,000 copies of an illustrated guide for Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland on integrating human rights, including children’s rights, into their activities were developed and distributed during the same period.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 15 (b)

122.Burkina Faso is taking the following measures, among others:

(a)Keeping schools open to reduce idleness and forced recruitment;

(b)Training children in vocational skills to help them become self-reliant;

(c)Giving presentations in schools and education centres to raise children’s awareness of ideological indoctrination and radicalization;

(d)Raising awareness among families and communities to ensure that child victims are welcomed without stigma or rejection.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 15 (c)

123.Under the terms of the memorandum, children encountered during local security operations are transferred to government protection services to ensure that they receive appropriate care and are reintegrated into society.

Part II

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 16 (a)

124.Burkina Faso has strengthened the protection of children’s rights, notably through the adoption of the Persons and Family Code on 25 September 2025. The Code modernizes the country’s family law and introduces significant developments in the areas of civil registration and the right to identity.

125.Key innovations include the digitalization of the civil registry system, the introduction of a unique personal identifier to facilitate birth registration, the strengthening of the right to a nationality and measures to prevent statelessness, the standardization of the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 years for both girls and boys and the strengthening of the legal protection of children within the family.

126.The new Code also has provisions that strengthen the prevention of statelessness and improve access to citizenship.

127.With regard to the protection of children whose parents are killed in terrorist attacks, the following laws have been adopted:

(a)Act No. 003-2022/ALT of 10 June 2022 on the Status of Wards of the State and its implementing regulations;

(b)Decree No. 2023-1163/PRES-TRANS/PM/MDAC/MATDS/MEFP/MJDHRI/MSAHRNGF of 19 September 2023 establishing the procedure and arrangements for the protection and support of wards of the State;

(c)Interministerial Order No. 2023-000116/MSAHRNGF/MATDS/MEFP of 8 November 2023 establishing the characteristics and conditions governing the issuance of ward of the State identification cards;

(d)Joint Order No. 2023-000117/MSAHRNGF/MEFP of 8 November 2023 on financial support arrangements for wards of the State;

(e)Act No. 025-2018/AN of 31 May 2018, the Criminal Code;

(f)Order No. 2023-095/MFPTPS/SG/DGPS of 31 August 2023 granting an exemption from the minimum age for employment and establishing conditions and arrangements for the performance of light work.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 16 (b)

128.Since 2021, Burkina Faso has undertaken a series of institutional reforms aimed at improving governance and modernizing the public administration. These include:

(a)The strengthening of the mandate of the National Human Rights Commission through Act No. 002-2021/AN of 30 March 2021, which designated it as the national preventive mechanism;

(b)The establishment of the National Council of Communities by virtue of the constitutional amendment of 23 December 2023.

129.In addition, the Government has stepped up efforts to digitalize public services to improve their accessibility, transparency and efficiency, particularly in the areas of civil registration and social protection.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 16 (c)

130.In 2026, the Government adopted its new development framework, the National Development Plan 2026–2030, which places strong emphasis on human capital development, social protection, education, health and the promotion of the rights of vulnerable groups, including children. Its estimated funding of CFAF 36 trillion is drawn primarily from domestic resources, which account for two thirds of the total, supplemented by fundraising and contributions from partners.

131.In the health sector, the National Health Development Plan 2021–2030 and the National Health Development Strategy 2026–2030 aim to improve access to good quality care, strengthen maternal and child health and increase health coverage. They are funded by the State and its technical and financial partners.

132.In response to the security and humanitarian crisis, annual humanitarian response plans have been implemented to ensure the protection of internally displaced persons, particularly children, and their access to education, healthcare, nutrition and protection services.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 16 (d)

133.On 17 October 2024, the People’s Legislative Assembly authorized the Government to ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa.

Part III

Data, statistics and other information, if available

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 17

134.The budget allocation for the Children and Families programme increased from CFAF 4,610,495,000 in 2020 to CFAF 5,514,157,000 in 2023. The budget for the fight against child labour rose from CFAF 19,634,000 to CFAF 29,287,000.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (a)

135.As part of efforts to coordinate and promote synergies between their activities, the police and the gendarmerie take measures to protect children, particularly those who are on the move. In 2021, deterrent patrols and traffic stops allowed them to intercept persons believed to be victims of trafficking, including 357 children. In 2021 and 2022, 142 court rulings were handed down in cases involving trafficking in persons and similar practices, including the trafficking and sale of children.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (b)

136.Nine cases of child abduction were brought to the attention of the social services between 2022 and April 2026 and referred to the competent courts.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (c)

137.Official statistics on deaths due to accidents, abuse and suicide are not disaggregated by age group or gender.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (d)

138.Statistical data on the number of children living with HIV in the past five years are as follows:

(a)2021: 11,000 children;

(b)2022: 10,000 children;

(c)2023: 9,500 children;

(d)2024: 8,400 children;

(e)2025: 7,500 children.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (e)

139.Social services identified 299 cases of child marriage and teenage pregnancy in 2022, 340 in 2023 and 413 in 2024.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (f)

140.Social services identified 13 cases of female genital mutilation in 2022, 29 in 2023 and 22 in 2024.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (g)

141.Data on these cases are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (h)

142.No cases of statelessness have been recorded.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (i)

143.Data in this regard are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (j)

Statistics on child labour

	Total children	Economically active (EA) children	Children engaged in hazardous work
Number	Number	% Total	Number	% Total	% EA	%Ab
National	7 274 115	2 935 002	40.3	1 355 888	18.6	46.2	58.4
Sex
Boys	3 681 728	1 339 426	36.4	575 320	15.6	43	55.5
Girls	3 592 386	1 595 576	44.4	780 567	21.7	48.9	60.7
Age group
5–12 years	4 880 052	1 616 025	33.1	693 384	14.2	42.9	42.9
13–15 years	1 571 126	853 520	54.3	422 979	26.9	49.6	90.4
16–17 years	822 938	465 457	56.6	239 525	29.1	51.5	100.0
Place of residence
Ouagadougou	820 886	166 336	20.3	77 761	9.5	46.7	62
Other cities	1 095 249	289 925	26.5	132 824	12.1	45.8	64.1
Rural areas	5 357 980	2 478 742	46.3	1 145 303	21.4	46.2	57.5

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (k)

144.In 2024, an operation to rescue people who beg resulted in the registration of 2,243 children in street situations, including 135 girls.

145.In 2025, rescue initiatives resulted in 153 children being removed from the streets and placed in special education centres.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (l)

146.Data on poverty are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 18 (m)

147.Statistical data on cases of confiage are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 19 (a)

148.In 2023, there were 4,884 children deprived of a family environment, 2,257 of whom were girls.

149.In 2024, there were 6,122 children deprived of a family environment, 2,777 of whom were girls.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 19 (b)

150.Data in this regard are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 19 (c)

151.The number of children placed with foster families was as follows:

(a)In 2023, 1,492 children, of whom 785 were girls;

(b)In 2024, 1,697 children, of whom 889 were girls.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 19 (d)

152.Statistics on children eligible for adoption are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 19 (e)

153.The situation of adopted children is as follows:

Children adopted domestically

Year/Sex	2023	2024	2025	Total
Girls	34	30	23	87
Boys	17	31	27	75
Total	51	61	50	162

Children adopted through intercountry adoption

Year/Sex	2023	2024	2025	Total
Girls	15	13	14	42
Boys	14	16	17	47
Total	29	39	31	89

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (a)

154.Data on children with disabilities living with their families are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (b)

155.Regarding children with disabilities living in institutions, in 2023 there were 31 children, including 14 girls, placed in centres for children in distress.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (c)

156.The number of children attending day-care institutions is estimated at 4,150.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (d)

157.In 2022/23, there were 7,123 children with disabilities enrolled in preschool, compared with 7,081 in 2024/25. Among the types of disabilities recorded in preschool education, language disorders were the most numerous (4,195 children), followed by physical or motor disabilities (1,211 children).

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (e)

158.The number of primary school pupils with disabilities rose from 54,881 in 2022/23 to 58,728 in 2024/25. The high number of primary school pupils with disabilities reflects the efforts made to facilitate their access to education. The disabilities most commonly identified among children in primary education are language disorders (54,917) and visual impairments (34,803).

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (f)

159.Data not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (g)

160.Data on children with disabilities receiving individualized support are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (h)

161.Data on children with disabilities attending special schools are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (i)

162.Data on children with disabilities who are out of school are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 20 (j)

163.Data on children with disabilities abandoned by their families are not available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 21 (a)

164.Regarding children who have been arrested, in 2023, two children were involved in a case of abduction and false imprisonment and three were involved in a case of theft. In 2024, three children were involved in a case of armed assault. In 2025, one child was involved in a case of abduction and false imprisonment and three children were involved in a case of theft.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 21 (b)

165.Regarding children referred to diversion programmes, no official data are available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 21 (c)

166.Regarding children in pretrial detention, no official data are available.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 21 (d)

167.Measures are always taken to ensure that children held in detention are separated from adults.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 21 (e)

168.As of 2023, there were 91 children, including four girls, who had been convicted and were serving their sentences in detention. In 2024, the number stood at 72, all of whom were boys.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 22

169.To ensure that human rights are taken into account in local governance, training sessions on the human rights-based approach are regularly organized for local government authorities and other stakeholders involved in the protection of children’s rights. For example, between 2022 and 2025, 122 individuals, including presidents of special delegations and municipal secretaries-general, received training on the human rights-based approach. These sessions enable the various stakeholders to ensure children’s participation in all decisions affecting them.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 23

170.Any further updates will be provided during the presentation of the report.

Reply to the issue raised in paragraph 24

171.The areas affecting children that are considered to be of priority with regard to the implementation of the Convention are listed below:

(a)The development of the new national strategy for the protection of families and children;

(b)The evaluation of the National Action Plan against Trafficking in Persons 2023–2025 and the development of a new action plan;

(c)The evaluation of the National Strategy to Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labour 2019–2023;

(d)The development of a new strategy to combat the worst forms of child labour;

(e)The operationalization of the Kogl-Kamba child labour monitoring system.