Walvis Bay
Popular South African songstress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, has appealed to the private sector and fellow musicians to be actively involved in the protection of children’s rights, as this can make an impact that can change their lives.
Chaka Chaka passionately spoke about children’s rights just shortly after she touched down at Walvis Bay International Airport to rally behind the Namibian government’s quest for children’s rights.
She will be one of the guest speakers on the Day of the African Child on Thursday that will be held under the theme, “Conflict and
Crisis in Africa: Protecting all children‘s rights.”
The Day of the African Child will be celebrated at a time when Namibia is striving to reinforce actions and persuade political commitment to accelerate the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the UN Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the National Agenda for Children including the recent Harambee Prosperity Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals focusing on children.
They day will be celebrated in Swakopmund. On Wednesday Chaka Chaka will visit two safety homes in Walvis Bay.
Speaking to New Era, Chaka Chaka stressed the involvement of the private sector in the protection of children’s rights as organisations such as UNICEF cannot do it alone.
“The protection of children against abuse and child labour. Everything starts at home. Especially when it concerns our daughters. We must teach our children at home to change the way women and children are treated,” she said.
Chaka Chaka who is also strongly opposed to child marriages said that girls should be allowed to go to school and get the necessary education they want.
“They should be allowed to play and go to school and get married on their own terms. We are allowing them to only vote when they reach the age of 18. Why should we allow them to get married at 14 years?” she said.