CHILDREN SPEAK OUT ON ZERO VIOLANCE AGAINST CHILDREN

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 16^th 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