Section 2: In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires–

“adoption” means the legal transfer or vesting through a court order of parental rights to a person or persons; “Bare gathering” means a traditional forum or gathering presided over by a traditional or community leader, open to all members of the community, including children but does not include a court; “basic social services” includes services relating to education, necessary goods, water and health, including reproductive health; “Chairman” means Chairman of the Commission referred to in subsection (1) of section 6; Charter” means African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child which entered into force on 29th November, 1999; “child” means a person below the age of eighteen; “Commission” means the National Commission for Children established by section 4; “Commissioner” and “Deputy Commissioner” mean the persons appointed respectively as such under subsection (1) of section 13; “Convention” means the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20th November, 1989; “council” means the district council; “court” means a Magistrate’s Court or the High Court; “Family Court” means a Family Court referred to in section 76; “female genital mutilation” includes the cutting or removal of any part of the female genitalia; “foster parent” means an adult person who is not a biological or legal parent of a child but willing to provide care and support usually provided by the biological or legal parent; and “foster” and “foster care” shall be construed accordingly; Commencement No. Child Rights Act 2007No. Child Rights Act 20074 5 “gifts and grants” means financial support in the form of money and supplies to the Commission for the implementation of this Act; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for children’s affairs and “Ministry” shall be construed accordingly; “national children and youth forum” means elected representatives from duly recognised children and youth advocacy organisations; “national parents’ body” means elected representatives from duly recognised parent advocacy organisations; “service provider” means any person or body of persons licensed or otherwise competent to provide services in health, education, child development or protection and for the general well-being of children; “young person” means any person aged between eighteen and twenty-five;