Justice begins in the earliest years.
The Centre for Early Childhood Justice strengthens the legal, regulatory, and accountability foundations of early childhood systems so that young children's rights are protected by law and upheld by institutions.
A child's earliest years should never depend on chance. They should be protected by clear laws, enforceable standards, fair financing, accountable institutions, and systems that place the best interests of the child at the centre.
We believe early childhood is a matter of legal obligation as well as social investment. When young children are left out of laws, budgets, regulations, and accountability systems, inequality begins early and becomes harder to repair.
African countries with ECD legal gaps
Across 54 African Union member states, critical gaps exist in the legal frameworks governing early childhood — in legislation, regulation, finance obligations, and accountability.
children aged 0–8 across Africa
More than 300 million children under the age of 8 live in Africa. Each one is entitled to legal protection, quality care, and enforceable rights — yet most are excluded from adequate legal frameworks.
of brain development by age 3
80% of a child's brain develops by age 3. The legal and governance systems that shape the quality of care in these years have a direct and lasting impact on every dimension of human development.
What We Stand For
Early childhood is a matter of legal obligation.
We believe early childhood is a matter of legal obligation as well as social investment. When young children are left out of laws, budgets, regulations, and accountability systems, inequality begins early and becomes harder to repair.
CECJ works to make sure the legal, regulatory, and governance environment supports every child's right to care, protection, development, and early learning — regardless of where they are born, who their parents are, or what resources their community has.
Learn About Our Mandate
The Legal & Governance Pathway
Young children fall through the gaps of legal and governance systems. Click each step to understand the gap CECJ addresses.
Click any step to learn more about the gap and how CECJ responds.
How CECJ Works
Six integrated areas of work that together build the legal and governance foundations for early childhood justice.
Legal Research
Rigorous analysis of early childhood legal frameworks, gaps, and obligations across jurisdictions.
Law and Policy Reform
Drafting model legislation and advocating for legal changes that establish binding obligations.
Regulatory Systems
Designing and strengthening regulatory frameworks governing early childhood service quality.
Public Finance Accountability
Holding governments accountable to their legal obligations to finance early childhood adequately.
Rights Protection & Redress
Building grievance mechanisms and pursuing strategic litigation to enforce children's rights.
Legal Capacity Development
Training lawyers, advocates, and policymakers on early childhood law and rights-based approaches.
What Makes CECJ Different
We occupy a unique position in the African legal and early childhood landscape.
Legal Lens
We are the only institute on the continent focused exclusively on the legal and governance dimensions of early childhood.
Rights-Based
We treat early childhood as a matter of legal obligation, not charity — grounding all work in international and domestic human rights law.
Institutionally Independent
We are independent of government, donor, and political influence. Our analysis follows the law, not the agenda.
Pan-African
While based in Uganda, we engage across the continent — learning from and contributing to African legal innovation.
Systems-Focused
We work on the legal and governance architecture, not just individual programmes — addressing root causes of inequality.
Practically Grounded
Our research connects to real legal reform — we produce model legislation, advocacy tools, and capacity support that practitioners can use.
Featured Programmes
Focused initiatives that translate our legal mandate into concrete impact.
Early Childhood Legal Mapping Programme
Comprehensive mapping and analysis of national legal frameworks governing early childhood, identifying gaps, conflicts, and opportunities for reform across legislation, regulations, and policy instruments.
Focus Areas
Who It Serves
Ministries of Justice, Law Reform Commissions, Parliamentary Committees, Legal Scholars
Early Childhood Finance Accountability Initiative
Tracking and analysing public budget allocations for early childhood, assessing compliance with constitutional and statutory financing obligations, and building civil society capacity to monitor public expenditure.
Focus Areas
Who It Serves
Finance Ministries, Civil Society Organisations, Parliamentary Budget Committees
ECD Regulatory Systems Strengthening Programme
Supporting the design, review, and implementation of quality assurance and regulatory frameworks for early childhood services, including licensing, inspection, and enforcement systems.
Focus Areas
Who It Serves
Regulatory Agencies, Service Providers, Local Governments
Children's Rights Redress Programme
Building accessible grievance and redress mechanisms for early childhood rights violations, supporting strategic litigation, and documenting cases to drive systemic reform.
Focus Areas
Who It Serves
Children's Rights Organisations, Legal Aid Providers, Human Rights Commissions
Latest Research & Resources
Evidence-based legal analysis and practical tools for practitioners and policymakers.
The Early Childhood Legal Gap: Mapping Legislative Frameworks in East Africa
A comprehensive analysis of legislative frameworks governing early childhood across five East African countries, identifying systemic gaps in legal protection, financing obligations, and regulatory oversight.
Constitutional Obligations for Early Childhood Financing: A Comparative Study
This policy brief examines how constitutional provisions across African states create binding obligations for public financing of early childhood services, and assesses compliance.
A Practitioner's Guide to ECD Regulatory Frameworks
A practical guide for policymakers and regulators on designing and implementing effective quality assurance systems for early childhood services, grounded in legal and rights-based principles.
From Research to Rights
Our theory of change links rigorous legal research to systemic transformation for young children.
Legal Research & Analysis
We produce rigorous legal analysis identifying gaps and obligations.
Evidence-Based Advocacy
We use evidence to advocate for legal and regulatory reforms.
Law & Policy Reform
Laws are amended or enacted to create clear obligations.
Strengthened Systems
Regulatory, finance, and accountability systems are built.
Rights Upheld
Young children's rights are protected in law and in practice.
Get Involved
Strengthen the legal foundations that protect young children.
CECJ works with government bodies, justice institutions, civil society organisations, universities, professional bodies, development partners, and foundations seeking technical legal support, law reform assistance, regulatory design, or accountability strengthening.
Stay Informed
Receive CECJ's research, policy briefs, and event updates directly in your inbox.