The Day of the African Child (DAC) was commemorated on 16 June by Member States of the African
Union (AU), and its Partners. That occasion was firstly a commemoration to recall the 1976
uprisings in Soweto, when a protest by school children in South Africa against
apartheid-inspired education resulted into public killing of these unarmed young
protesters by police officials.
The theme for 2016 commemoration was , “Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting all children’s rights”. The 2016 DAC was unique in that
it gave the Rwenzori region an
opportunity to reflect on causes and nature of the conflicts that had happened
and thereafter design appropriate strategies for lasting peace in the region.
The importance of Article 22 and other relevant provisions of the African
Children‘s Charter and other relevant African human rights instruments in
safeguarding girls and boys in Africa from conflicts and crises and their
attendant consequences;
The
children spoke out about Zero Violence against children by parents, guardians, step
parents and teachers in the following ways. That once there was domestic violence
between the two parents, it should not affect them. Their basic needs should continue
being provided for , suffering sexual abuse by parents when there is separation
, child laboring, child human sacrifice, corporal punishments in schools and teachers raping has led some drop out of school hence live
miserable life. One girl pupil gave a testimony about teachers , "once a
teacher asks you for sexual intercourse and you don’t adhere, he will subject you
to beating every day and ensures that particular pupil fails P.7’’. That affects them and become vulnerable to multiple
problems.
Therefore the
children do make a strong appeal to all parents and stake holders for proper
parenting and justice when implementing
cases concerning them because some perpetrators usually connive with
parents of survivors and we strongly believe that once professionalism is well
practices, the law will take its course on the culprits.
During the
commemoration on 16th June 2016, at Itojo Primary school in Ntoroko
district, the function began with Roadshow Band match of all pupils the leaders
from the different districts led by the RDC Ntoroko Mr. Isingoma Wilson as the
chief Guest. Other guests were the RDC Bundibugyo, RDC representative of
Kasese, the district chairpersons of Kasese, Ntoroko, other guests were the District Education Officer Kasese, Assistant Chief
Administrative Officer Kasese and the District Community Development Officer
Kasese among others. Different presentation of pupils from different districts
included Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kabarole and Ntoroko the host. RWECO had four
schools from their project area that included Mundongo, Ibuga , Kiburara and Kanyatsi Primary’s .
Margret Kidima
RWECO
RWECO
