Day of the African Child marked with focus on protection of rights
The permanent secretary at MGLSD, Aggrey Kibenge, said Uganda has developed and implemented policies to combat child labour and is working closely with partners to bring it to an end.
Pupils marching during the celebration of the Day of the African Child. (Photos by Wilfred Sanya)
By Wilfred Sanya
Journalists @New Vision
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Today, the world marks the Day of the African Child, a day dedicated to advocating for children's rights and calling for their protection and wellbeing.
The day commemorates the 1976 events in Soweto, South Africa, when Black students took to the streets to protest against the poor quality of education they were receiving and the enforced use of Afrikaans in schools.
The peaceful protest was met with brutal police violence, resulting in the deaths of many children and injuries to countless others.
To honour their bravery and draw attention to ongoing issues affecting children across the continent, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU), instituted the Day of the African Child in 1991.
This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme "Planning and Budgeting for Children's Rights", with Uganda’s national event taking place in Kiryandongo district.
The theme focuses on how well AU member states have integrated children's rights into national plans and highlights the need for further action. It also underscores the importance of adopting child-friendly budgeting practices.
In response to the call for better child protection, Uganda has implemented a number of initiatives, including the establishment of the National Council for Children and the enactment of laws in Parliament setting standards for children’s homes.
Uganda has also established a minister of state in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) specifically to oversee children's welfare and related activities.
The permanent secretary at MGLSD, Aggrey Kibenge, said Uganda has developed and implemented policies to combat child labour and is working closely with partners to bring it to an end.
He added that the government has trained inspectors who will conduct assessments at various workplaces using a formal checklist.
To commemorate the day, children took part in a symbolic march dressed in uniforms and Uganda’s national colours, echoing the 1976 protest in South Africa. They carried placards and sang songs demanding their rights, just as the children of Soweto once did.