Over 200 young leaders from seven Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries are gathered in the majestic Victoria Falls to celebrate World Children’s Day 2024.
The event, which runs from 5 to 17 November, is themed ‘Inclusive, Relevant and Quality Education’.
This year’s celebration marks a milestone.
Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa have joined Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe in this annual youth-led initiative.
This event aims to build on the momentum generated in previous years, fostering regional cooperation and advocating for the rights of children.
Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare Doreen Sioka expressed excitement to have more countries joining the celebrations.
“What started as an idea between four countries sharing borders is slowly bringing other Sadc members together. I am hopeful that soon, we will be able to have the whole of Africa celebrating one event in one country,” she said.
She added that the theme of the event aligns with the African Union’s 2024 focus on education, ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in the Republic of Namibia’.
Countries will advocate for continued meaningful participation of children – a right enshrined as one of the core principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Moreover, the gathering will revisit and gauge progress on ‘A Call to Action’ that was made by children in Walvis Bay to address climate change, violence against children, transform education, and ensure inclusive quality education for all, while calling for countries to listen to, and engage them, in policy decisions.
Whilst Namibia continues to be an exemplary force in addressing children’s rights, climate and environmental hazards have devastating impacts on the well-being and future of children.
The looming current drought in Southern Africa is threatening their health, nutrition, education, development, survival and future.
“As a country, our decision to ratify the CRC – just six months after our independence on 28 September 1990, enabled us to adopt key instruments to protect all children in Namibia, wherever they might be.
“However, our work continues due to these emerging global social challenges. As a ministry, we are ready to work with children, the youth and our international partners to address them,” she stated.
Tomorrow, Namibia will send 15 students from the Kavango East, Omaheke and //Kharas regions to join children from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe in celebrating this meaningful day.
Every 20th of November, the world celebrates children’s day to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the CRC by the United Nations General Assembly.
World Children’s Day is a day by and for children, where children around the world are invited to express their opinions on issues that matter to them.
The day highlights the right to participation, which is one of the underpinning principles of the UNCRC.
This day is dedicated to promoting, advocating and celebrating child rights through dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.
This year’s celebration will build on the calls of action of children, and the commitments by the Heads of State made at the previous celebrations, which focused on education, climate, children with disabilities, and the need for society to be inclusive and uphold child rights.
– pmukokobi@nepc.com.na