Kismayo, 17 June 2021—The Jubaland State of Somalia joined the rest of the African continent in celebrating the International Day of the African Child, with a commitment from the government to protect the rights of children.
The celebrations, organized by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in collaboration with Jubaland Ministry of Women and Human Rights under this year’s theme: “30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children”, was attended by representatives of women groups, traditional elders, Internally Displaced People and members of civil society organizations.
Speaking at the event, Abdikadir Abdi Yare, the Director of Children and Family Affairs in the Jubaland Ministry of Women and Human Rights noted that his administration has an agenda of promoting children’s rights and welfare.
“Every year, our ministry focuses on specific action points that are to be implemented in order for us to meet the needs of the children. Upholding the rights of the children is an important and holistic issue that covers health, education, physical well being and many other facets that are important to the overall well being of children,” said Abdikadir.
Representing AMISOM, Gloria Jaase, AMISOM Protection Officer, called on the Federal Government of Somalia to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The convention, among other commitments, recognizes that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.
“Today, we are celebrating the African child. Thirty years after the adoption of the African Charter on the Welfare and the Rights of children, we are also highlighting the need for African Union member states to accelerate the implementation of agenda 2040 and to ensure the protection of children. In Somalia, we are focusing especially on the protection of children in situations of armed conflict. Somali is already a signatory to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children and AMISOM is taking an opportunity on this day to call on the government of Somalia to speed up the process to ratify the convention,” she said.
Jase added, “Somalia is already a signatory to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children and therefore it would be important for the government of Somalia to speed up the process to ratifying the convention.”
The Day of the African Child is celebrated every year on June 16. It was initiated by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU) in memory of the June 16, 1976, student uprising in Soweto, South Africa.
