Kigali-20 November 2020-The call was made during the 14^th Children’s Day which was convened this Friday 20^th November, 2020 at the parliamentary building in Kimihurura. The children’s summit was conjointly held with the celebration of the World Children’s Day under theme: ‘Role of the family to fight against online child abuse/ Uruhare rw’umuryango mu kurinda umwana ihohoterwa rikorerwa ku ikoranabuhanga’. The event brought together Government officials, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations, Religious leaders and children representatives across the country to discuss synergized mechanisms to protect children from all forms of online exploitation.

The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Prof. Bayisenge Jeannette who officiated the summit called parents to protect children from online abuse.

‘Parents and families have a big role to play in protecting children from online abuse because it is within the family that we nurture and educate them (children) values, help them to develop both physically and emotionally.’- echoed Prof. Bayisenge

The Minister added that quality time with children is essential as it creates, boosts intimacy which allows children to seek advice from parents when they suspect an abuse.

The 14^th Children’s Summit and the World Children’s Day came at time when most children globally are exposed to various forms of exploitation due to the increase of internet penetration, the digital shift and accessibility of various devices including tablets, smartphones and laptops that enable children to spend more time online than ever before due to the school closures caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Prof. Bayisenge called on children to beware that there are various dangers online hence advising them to always avoid exchanging conversations with strangers or sharing their pictures and other private information with strangers who may be potential hackers or traffickers.

The President of Children’s Forum at National level Miss Akoyiremeye Octavie Elodie warned her peers to play a role in preventing themselves from online abuse by avoiding sharing their pictures online. ‘When you post a picture on internet, you no longer have power to take it down, let’s avoid that. It shouldn’t be me or you (Ntabe ari njye cyangwa wowe) who contributes in being a victim of online abuse’

In efforts to address child online abuse, the Government of Rwanda has established a Child Online Protection Policy (COP Policy”)  introduced in 2019 to mitigate against those risks and harms, and to deliver a framework that meets children’s needs and fulfils their rights, while enabling them to safely and confidently navigate the digital environment.

The Annual National Children’s Summit is a Consultative Forum which brings together children’s delegates from across the country to exchange views and ideas on the issues at hand. It was initiated in Rwanda in 2004 upon the request from children to H.E Paul KAGAME, the President of the Republic of Rwanda to grant every child’s right to participation and to provide an opportunity for dialogue amongst children, policy makers, Government officials, civil society, development partners and all citizens. This is year, due to preventive measures to curb the widespread of Covid-19, the summit was attended by a limited number while others participated virtually from different sites while others followed the event Rwanda Televisions and other online platform.

The Universal Children’s Day is celebrated worldwide on November 20th. This date marks the day when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959. On this annual event, childhood is celebrated with the aim of promoting international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide as well as to bring about beneficiary action to promote the welfare of children all over the globe.

Click here to what the Children's summit and the World Children's Day.