4. Protection from discrimination The Government, a judicial or administrative institution, an appropriate authority, a service provider, traditional or local leader, religious authority and any other person shall not discriminate against or punish a child on grounds of race, colour, sex, gender, age, language, religion, tradition and custom, political or other opinion, conscience, ethnic or social origin, disability, property status, birth, marital status, location, status, status of the child’s parent or other status. 5. Equality, right to life, privacy, dignity and respect (1) All children are equal before the law and shall be entitled to equal protection before the law. (2) A child’s inherent right to life and right to liberty, security, dignity and respect of the person shall be upheld. (3) A child has a right to privacy, dignity and respect. (4) Children have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres. (5) The Government and a judicial and administrative institution shall ensure that – (a) children, whether born in or outside marriage, are treated equally before national laws and are accorded equal protection and rights; (b) a child’s inherent right to life, liberty, security, dignity and respect are ensured and upheld; and (c) girls and boys have access to sexual reproductive health services and are not unduly hindered in the exercise of their sexual reproductive rights. Page 35 of 78