The Day of the African child (DAC) is commemorated on the 16th of June every year by all African Union (AU) member states and their partners. In Rwanda, this day will be celebrated with the World day against Child Labor that is ordinarily celebratedon 12th June every year.At the national level, the commemoration will be held in RUSIZI District, in Western province. Nevertheless, each District and its partners will organize and celebrate the event.
The celebration of DAC 2017 and the World day against child labor will be a continuation of the International Day of Families that was held on the 14th May, 2017 in all Villages. From that date to 16th June 2017, a “child month” whereby different activities related to child rights protection and promotion and family promotion are being conducted according to the specific objectives of the celebration.
IDF is celebrated under the theme: “Umugoroba w’ Ababyeyi: Inzira yo kugira Umuryango ubereye u Rwanda” while DAC and the World day against Child Labor are celebrated under the theme: “Twubake u Rwanda rw’Ejo turinda ibyagezweho mu kurengera umwana”.
The celebration of these International days is also the commemoration of 23 years of achievements in advancing child rights since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and considerable efforts of the Government of Rwanda and its stakeholders in protecting and promoting the rights of children. It is also an occasion for Rwandan Government and its stakeholders to reflect on issues still affecting children, and next action steps to remedy children’s issues.
Rwanda’s achievements recorded include the ratification of several regional and international conventions, enactment of national laws, formulation of policies and child rights-related programs as well as their successful implementation.
Some key specific achievements in promoting and protecting child rights are as follows:
ü The Approval of the Strategy for National Child Care Reform in 2012;andTubarerere Mu Muryango (Let’s Raise Children in Families) program which resulted into reintegration of 2,691childrenfrom Institutional care into family-based care ( From 2012 to Mach 2017);
ü Establishment of29,674 community-based para-professionals-Inshuti z’Umuryango (Friends of the Family);
ü Existence of 28 Isange One Stop Centers providing comprehensive services to victims of GBV and child abuse;
ü The fee- free inclusive and compulsory nine year and twelve-year basic education;
ü The implementation of One-laptop-per-child program ;
ü The support to the most vulnerable children and familiesthrough various culture-based initiatives such as Girinka, Ubudehe and VUP, etc.
ü The promotion of the child’s right to participation through children-led forum and the National Children’s Summits;
ü The Withdrawal of 11,175 children from child labour and their reintegration into formal education and Vocational training, among others;
From 15thMay to 16th June 2016;different activities including but not limited to the following are being conducted:
# | Activity/item | Timeframe | Responsible |
1. | Conduct “Umugoroba w’Ababyeyi” evening session countrywide on fighting against stigmatization of children with disabilities, GBV , human trafficking, family conflicts etc. | 14th May 2017 | MIGEPROF, MINALOC, MIFOTRA, FFRP, GMO, RGB, NCC, NWC, LOCAL GOV. |
2. | Umutumirwa w’Umunsi at RBA on the International Day of Families | 15th May 2017 | MIGEPROF , MIFOTRA, NCC |
3. | Conduct mobilization campaign about the dangers of child labor, the fight against stigmatization of children with disabilities, the birth registration, the importance of ECD and the fight against GBV and human trafficking through media (kubaza bitera kumenya, talk shows on different radio etc.; | 15th May to 16th June 2017 | MIGEPROF, MIFOTRA, MINALOC, MINIJUST, RNP, GMO, NCC, NCPD, RGB and Partners
|
4. | Awareness campaign on fighting GBV, Human trafficking, family conflicts through meeting with local leaders and the population of Huye, Gisagara and Ruhango Districts | 18th-19th May 2017 | MIGEPROF, MINALOC, MINIJUST, GMO, RNP, NCC, RGB and other Partners |
5. | Provide specialized kits to children with disabilities in need; | 24th May 2017 | MIGEPROF, NCC, NCPD |
6. | Deliver message on the importance of “Umugoroba w’Ababyeyi” & the celebration of DAC in “Umuganda” | 27th May 2017 | MIGEPROF, MINALOC, MIFOTRA, FFRP, GMO, RGB, NCC, NWC, LOCAL GOV. |
7. | Conduct operations to identify children engaged in domestic work, reintegrate them in their families and in formal education and taking appropriate measure to person who engage children in domestic work outside of their own families; | 22nd to 27th May 2017 | NCC, MIFOTRA, MIGEPROF, RNP and partners |
8. | Provide scholastic materials to most vulnerable children withdrawn from child labor in selected District. | 28th May 2017 | MIFOTRA, MIGEPROF, NCC, RNP and partners |
9. | Remember children and women at national level in Nyanza District at Kibilizi site | 27-28th May 2017 | MIGEPROF, NCC, NWC, and other partners |
10. | Awareness campaign on fighting GBV, Human trafficking, family conflicts through meeting with the population and local leaders of KIREHE District | 9th June 2017 | MIGEPROF, MINALOC, MINIJUST, GMO, RNP, NCC, RGB and other Partners |
11. | Raise awareness on ECD Policy through media and communication materials | From 15th May to 16th June 2017 | MIGEPROF, NCC, ECD/TWG, Imbuto Foundation and partners |
12. | Conduct birth registration week country wide nk’uwikorera through spot publicitaire, talk shows, | 15th to 30th June 2017 | MIGEPROF, MINALOC, NCC |
13. | Visit different areas related to child rights protection in Rusizi ( Rusayo Orphanage, centre des Handicapés St Francois d’Assise, Centre Urugwiro, women cross border traders, IOSC, …) | 15th June 2017 | MIGEPROF, MINALOC, MIFOTRA, FFRP, GMO, RNP, RGB, NCC, NWC, LOCAL GOV. |
14. | Celebrate DAC at National level | 16th June 2017 | MIGEPROF, MINALOC, MIFOTRA, FFRP, GMO, RNP, RGB, NCC, NWC, LOCAL GOV. |
END