Turning Paper Promises to Reality: National Human Rights Institutions and Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa

The article examines the history of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in general, and their establishment in Africa in particular. Using examples from three countries - Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa - the article critically analyses the promotional and protective mandates of these institutions and argues that their experience over the years in promoting human rights in their domains can be similarly useful in advancing the sexual and reproductive rights of adolescents. The author acknowledges the challenges NHRIs may face in doing this, including poor funding, undue interference from the executive and shortage of personnel. The author discusses some of these challenges and offers suggestions for the way forward.