The day of the African child was celebrated today in Kismayo, the Jubbaland state of Somalia.
The event which is held annually is meant to celebrate the African child and gauge factors such as education, health and other rights that the African child is entitled to.
During the celebration of the event in Kismayo, child soldiers, child labor and child abuse inflicted on children has took center stage.
The commemoration of the day of the African child was organized by the Ministry of Women, Family Affairs and Human Rights and was attended by the Minister for Women’s Affairs, Ms. Adar Abdullahi Ismail (Juraati) and other dignitaries, with the support of the AMISOM.
The chairman of the IDPs in Kismayo’s Dalxiska neighborhood who spoke at the event said the plight of Somali children is so severe and urgent intervention is necessary in aid of the children.
Director of the Department of Children and Family Affairs at the Jubbaland Ministry of Women Affairs, Abdikadir Abdi Yare underscored the importance of the day for children and called for massive government and non governmental support on children affairs.
The Minister for Women, Family Affairs and Human Rights, Ms. Adar Abdillahi Ismail said children form an integral part of the society and due considerations should always be given to them to improve their living conditions.
The African Union and its Member States observe the Day of the African Child (DAC) as a commemoration of the 16th June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa, where students who marched in protest against apartheid-inspired education, were brutally murdered.
This year’s theme for the day of the African child is ” 30 years after the adoption of the charter: accelerate the implementation of agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children ”
The african commitee recognizes the importance 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.
BY OSMAN HUSSEIN ALI
