16/06/2021
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD 2021
International Day of the African Child was created as an awareness campaign to highlight the importance of what it means to be a child in Africa and the need to educate the children of Africa.
International Day of the African Child is celebrated on the 16th of June every year to encourage people around the world to highlight the importance of improving the education system in Africa.
History and Significance
On June 16, 1976, thousands of black students from Soweto, South Africa, protested the poor quality of their education by marching on the streets. The education system of Africa was riddled with systematic discrimination against black students. The students were segregated based on their race and were subjected to an inferior education in schools. Over a span of two weeks, the students marched and were subsequently shot by the security forces. Hundreds of students were killed and the march came to be known as Soweto Uprising. The International Day of the African Child was created in 1991 to honour the people who participated in the Soweto uprising on June 16, 1976.
Over tens of millions of children are uneducated around the world and half of them live in Africa. The economic constraints them from gaining their right to a fair education. This day aims to spread awareness about the strife of these children and create a measure to improve the education system in the countries of Africa
People worldwide celebrate this day by highlighting the awareness about the education system in Africa by sharing their views via social media using the hashtag , .
People also contribute to organizations that work towards improving education for African child. People also volunteer to hold talks in school and address the need for educating a child and the problems that parents face in sending their children to schools.
Beyond poor access to education, the African child faces other challenges including r**e, trafficking, child labour, children soldiers, malnutrition, poor access to health facilities etc
On June 16 every year, governments, NGOs, international organisations and other stakeholders gather to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the full realization of the rights of children in Africa.
The theme for the Day of the African Child (DAC) 2021 is
“30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children”
The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (Committee), established under Articles 32 and 33 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (the Charter) selected this theme for the commemoration of the DAC in 2021.
The African Committee recognizes the importance of the Day of the African Child (DAC) as an advocacy tool for enhancing the visibility of the Charter as well as promoting children’s rights and welfare issues. The (DAC) is one of the standing promotional activities of the Committee.
Today, as we celebrate the African Child, I challenge you to speak up for the Rights African Child within your locality and under your circle of influence. Speak up against r**e, drug abuse, poor education, poor health facilities and other challenges facing the children of Africa. In your own little capacity, do something today to help the African child in need, your little light can indeed make the world a brighter place!
Today, we are also celebrating Titilope Eleshinla, a talented artist who has produced a beautiful song to celebrate the African child on this beautiful *DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD*. kindly listen to this song and share on all your platforms. Kudos to Titilope Eleshinla for this excellent work of art! Your contribution to the success of the african child is worthy of note!
Our children are indeed our future, let's give more attention to them!!!
Tolulope Kolawole
References
1.International day of the African child
https://in.style.yahoo.com/international-day-african-child-2021-084814252.html
2.African committee of Experts on the Rights and welfare of the Child
https://www.acerwc.africa/day-of-the-african-child-dac/
3. International day of the African child-Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_the_African_Child
https://youtu.be/mFmch6q07sM
International Day of the African Child is celebrated on the 16th of June every year to encourage people around the world to highlight the importance of improving the education system in Africa.
