A/HRC/37/48 82. Significant developments continue to be pursued in South Asia to further strengthen children’s protection from violence, including the implementation of a regional plan of action for the prevention and elimination of child labour for 2016-2021, the development of a regional strategy to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation, and the promotion of online safety. Implementation of the regional action plan on child marriage (2015-2018) was pursued in 2017 with the launch in Afghanistan of a national plan of action to eliminate early and child marriage, while in India, Rajasthan became the first State to launch a strategic plan of action for the prevention of child marriage. 83. To further strengthen children’s protection from violence across Africa, the Special Representative continued to pursue engagement with the African Union and subregional organizations, as well as with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the African Union Special Rapporteur on Ending Child Marriage. 84. The vision of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want and of Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040, which was adopted by the African Committee, is aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Africa’s Agenda for Children 204015 contains measurable goals and priority areas that the African Union and its Member States commit to reach by 2040, in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal target 16.2 on ending all forms of violence against children. 85. The Day of the African Child in 2017 was devoted to the 2030 Agenda and to efforts made to accelerate protection, empowerment and equal opportunity for all children. Recognizing violence as one of the major barriers to sustainable development, the discussions held on the Day placed special emphasis on ensuring progress towards Sustainable Development Goal target 16.2. 86. Building on commitments to promote an Africa fit for its children, the Special Representative continued to support the strengthening of child protection initiatives in East and West Africa. 87. In October 2017, Ministers responsible for the care and protection of children across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gathered in Niamey to adopt the Strategic Framework for Strengthening National Child Protection Systems to Prevent and Respond to Violence, Abuse and Exploitation against Children in West Africa. In December, the Framework was approved by the Heads of State, signalling highest level commitment to end violence against children. 88. The Framework recognizes the importance of dialogue and review at the regional and subregional levels to boost cooperation and partnerships. It also allows for the identification of overall trends, lessons learned, good practices and implementation gaps, while enhancing the accountability of ECOWAS in monitoring, implementation and reporting. 89. The Framework aims to reduce children’s vulnerability, to build resilience and to ensure their protection from violence, abuse and exploitation. On the basis of an analysis of data in the region, it highlights five priority areas: sexual, physical, and emotional violence; child marriage; children on the move; child labour; and civil registration, vital statistics and birth registration. 90. The East African Community met in Kigali to promote progress in combating violence against children. Building on work adopted by its Council of Ministers, including policies and standards to facilitate national action, Community members promoted the development of a regional framework for strengthening national child protection systems and community mechanisms. 15 14 See www.acerwc.org/ourevents/africas-agenda-for-children-2040/.