Children Demand Duty Bearers’ Commitment on Safety, Rights
By WFT-T
04 November 2024
WEADO (one of WFT-T grantee in Shinyanga) recently coordinated a dialogue in Didia Ward of Shinyanga District, to mark this year’s International Day of the African Child.
The Day is commemorated by African nations on the 16th of June every year, to honor the courageous actions of South African children in 1976.Known as the Soweto Uprising, the students marched, protesting the poor-quality education, and demanding equal rights in the sector.
To mark this year’s event, WEADO brought together 350 children (199 girls and 151 boys) from different schools in Shinyanga, with the aim to highlight issues affecting their growth and well-being, including poor parenting, quality education, life skills, and moral decay.
The commemoration, which was centered around this year’s national theme, “Elimu Jumuishi kwa Watoto: Izingatie maarifa, maadili na Stadi za Kazi” (Inclusive education for children: Encompassing knowledge, values and work skills), was also attended by parents, local leaders, and duty bearers.
The event saw children participating in various activities reflecting the theme, such as drama, poems, role plays, and debates that delivered key issues and gathered commitments from duty bearers and parents who attended the commemoration
The children requested commitment from adults participating in the dialogue, to ensure their safety and rights. Their key demands included: Families should play their role in establishing a strong integrity foundation for the betterment of children Children should be taught self-awareness, assertiveness, and self-esteem
The government should effectively implement existing policies, laws, and strategies that protect children. In response to the children’s requests, local government and religious leaders among other duty bearers committed to taking their responsibilities seriously, to improve the lives of children. Parents also committed to fully nurture their children to create a better future for them.
The children also used the platform to issue a statement condemning the tragic death of Asiimwe Novath, a 2.5-year-old child with albinism from Muleba, Kagera. Asiimwe was brutally abducted from her mother’s hands on May 30, 2024, and was later found murdered. Through their council, the children demanded that duty bearers quickly take action to bring to book those accountable for this horrific act.
