June has multiple observances focusing on children and child rights, including International Children’s Day, International Day of the African Child, and World Day Against Child Labor. So, we had a chat with Joy Katunge Matheka, an Advocate of the High Court and a Children’s Law expert.

Ms. Katunge scooped the Civil Society Lawyer of the Year Award during the 2021 Nairobi Legal Awards, owing to her contribution to child protection activities. She shares her journey of grace into child protection law (which she considers her true calling) while unpacking the scope of children’s rights and her experiences practicing law in CSOs. Additionally, she highlights the strides the Kenyan government has made in upholding child protection, and what lawyers can do to promote children’s rights in their spheres of influence.