On June 16, 1976, in Soweto, South Africa, about 10,000 black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language.
Hundreds of young students were shot – the most famous of them being Hector Pieterson, who died at the age of 12. More than 100 people were killed in the protests of the following two weeks and more than 1000 were injured.
This act left a big impact in Africa and, as a result, all African countries decided in 1991 to commemorate this day each year as the Day of the African Child.
The African Union leads the process and initiates the theme for each year, which all member countries adapt and celebrate in their respective countries.
Kenya has not been left behind and since 1991 the day has been celebrated by Kenyan children holding duty bearers to account by presenting memorandums that articulate their issues in line with the theme.
The Evolving Women in Politics EWIP, in Nigeria, has chosen to celebrate with the African children this year as a sign of unification with other African countries.
The general objective of the celebration of the DAC is to call attention to the linkages between the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Children’s Charter.
According to the Vice President of EWIP, Hajia Raliat Anako Abdulsalam Founder of the Raliat Anako Abdulsalam Foundation (RAAF), The goal is to inspire states to accelerate efforts towards realizing all children’s rights as provided by the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children, as a contribution towards accelerating the promotion and protection of all children’s rights in Africa.
She added that this year 2021, it aims to set out the relevance of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development for children in all countries on the African continent.
President of EWIP, Hajia Fatima Bello, CEO of Jumrash Aso Oke, added that this year’s celebration of the DAC provides a platform to reflect on the African continent’s flagship development agenda – Agenda 2063, the Committee’s Agenda 2040, and how they apply to children in Africa today.
BY: SUNDAY ADEBAYO