Good Hope Foundation for Rural
Development with other members of Rwenzori consortium for civic competence
(RWECO) joined other child rights organizations to commemorate the day of the
African child that is always held on 16th June of every year by
member states of the African union (AU) and her partners.
The Rwenzori region celebration were held in
Kabarole District at Kitarasa P/School with SAVE THE CHILDREN as the lead
organization in partnership with Kabarole District local government and other
child rights NGOs working in the seven
districts of Rwenzori region. The theme for this years’ commemoration was “Accelerating protection, empowerment and
equal opportunities for children in Africa by 2030”
The day of African Child (DAC) is a
commemoration of the 1976 uprising in Soweto, when a protest by school children
in South Africa against the apartheid inspired education system resulted into
public killing of the unarmed young protestors by police officials. The DAC
further presents an opportunity to take stalk of the efforts of all actors
committed to the rights of children on the continent. It provides an occasion
for Governments, institutions both local and international communities to renew
their ongoing commitment towards improving the plight of vulnerable children.
The report presented by the Rwenzori
regional manager Save the Children highlighted the genesis of the Day of
African Child, African charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child (African
Children’s Children charter) The regional Manager’s report indicated how save
the children International had launched a Global Campaign called “Every Last Child” On 1st June
Save the children International launched the stolen childhood report.
According to the report, Uganda
ranks 132 out the 172 countries. The data which has been compiled from
reputable sources shows significant trends in adolescent birth rate (109 birth
per 1000 girls aged 15-19)We all appreciate the implication of over 10% of
every 1000 births being more or less under 18.55 of 1000 live births die and 20
of every 100 children enrolled in school dropout. To days commemoration comes
to remind all of us on the role we have to do to reverse the situation and move
Uganda from the position we are in to a better one.
The report of SC regional manager
had different messages for different age groups,
To the children present, he said as
we commemorate this day, let us remember that globally, over 142 million girls
will be married before their 18th birth day over the next 10years
and Uganda is among the top on the list.
To the elders and community members,
many girls are suffering today because of child marriage and more will suffer
if we remain silent. This is why I say; now it is time to speak up. Today we
call upon leaders to develop and enforce policies and provisions of the
Children’s Act to promote equality of opportunities for all children. We call
upon both country and national governments to develop programmes that will
protect children and ensure free compulsory education for every child in the
country’
According to the Chairman LCV
Kabarole District Mr:Richard Rwabuhinga who was the Guest of Honour ,domestic
violence or conflicts within the family environment affects the well being of children.
It leads to early marriages for the girl child; other affected children end up
on the streets of urban areas.
The situation is almost the same in
all districts with in the Rwenzori region much as other district probation
officers could not provide statistics about the situation in their respective
districts.
All conflicts both domestic and
outside the home psychologically affect the children negatively.
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Primary school pupils matching to commemorate the Day of African Child in Kabarole district at Kitarasa Primary School |
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The chairperson LCV Kabarole district Mr.Richard Rwabuhinga with other invited guests inspecting the stalls that were being exhibited |
Invited guests inspecting the stalls that were being exhibited
Primary school pupils matching to commemorate the Day of African Child in Kabarole district at Kitarasa Primary School