Representatives to Children Forums countrywide will be elected from August 16th to 22nd 2012. These elections are organized by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the National Commission for Children, the National Electoral Commission and Districts.

Children forums were established in 2004 and exist from the village to district level. All children aged between 6 and 17 years are members of these forums. Representatives are children elected by fellow children.

According to the guidelines establishing children forums, the latter is comprised of a General Assembly and an Executive Committee. At least 30% of members of the executive committee must be female and the committee must include a disabled child. The term of the executive committee is three years non renewable. Eligible candidates should be aged between 6 and 15 years old.

“These forums were established to enable children to voice their opinions on matters concerning them and to give them an opportunity to participate in national development,” the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Children said.

Children representatives who are elected at the sector and district levels will participate in the Annual National Children Summit to be held in December this year.

For more information, please contact:

Zaina NYIRAMATAMA,

Executive Secretary, National Commission for Children

Tel: 250-786375119;

Email: jmunyana@yahoo.fr