Kigali-20 June 2019-The Day of the African Child was observed this Thursday, 20 June 2019 under the theme: ‘We are children with a bright vision, we say no to teenage pregnancy. Celebrations were held across the country at sector while at national level, the event colorful was celebrated in Gasabo District, Nduba Sector. Thousands of residents of this area and their neighbors were joined by Government officials, representatives from NGOs, development partners, civil society and private sector.

 While addressing the crowd, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion who was also the Guest of Honor, emphasized: ‘We need to increase our efforts in educating our children and the youth on sexual reproductive health so that they expand their knowledge in a bid to prevent any harm that may result in lack of skills.’

The Minister recalled the Government’s efforts to pursue culprits who defile and impregnate teens: ‘We shouldn’t protect anyone who defile a child, the country will never tolerate such criminals and heavy sanctions have been put in place to punish anyone who is convicted so that we set good examples.’

Amb. Soline reminded the public that innocent children born from teen mothers should be taken care of and accorded all rights including being registered in civil books and other basic rights.

The Country Representative of UNICEF Mr. Tedy Maly who spoke on behalf of other partners, commended Rwanda’s Leadership for the efforts made in addressing teenage pregnancies and promoting child rights. He called the general public not to isolate teen mothers adding that all actors should work together to address this vice.

Mr. Tedy Maly stressed that UNICEF and the ONE UN will continue to partner with the Government in eradicating violence against children in all its forms.

On a panel of discussion that debated the role of partners in addressing teenage pregnancies, Pastor Abatoni Venantie from Successful Christian Ministries; urged churches and religious leaders to play a role in sensitizing their followers on eradicating teenage pregnancies and other form of violence against children.

The event was also marked by the awarding ceremony of three best schools from Gasabo: G S Remera Catholique, GS Gutunga and G S Kacyiru II for their exceptional contribution in preventing malnutrition and teenage pregnancies. Nyirahabineza Melanie, a Friend of Family, was also awarded for reporting a case of child defilement after rushing the victim to Isange One Stop Center for assistance.

Participants at the Day of the African Child celebration were entertained by Mashirika Arts Groups that performed a sketch on fighting the role of parents and the general public on preventing and responding to teenage pregnancies and violence against children. Renowned Afro Beat Artist Mico the Best also performed a song on children’s rights, calling parents to care for their children and listen to them from the tender age.

The Day of the African child (DAC) is commemorated on the 16th of June by all African Union (AU) member states and their partners in memory of the SOWETO uprising in South Africa during the Apartheid in 1976 where students protested against the poor quality of education they received and demanded to be taught in their own language.  

The DAC is a call for action to all State Parties of the AU and to the World in general to increase efforts in ensuring that the rights of children are protected and promoted and that strong measures are taken to fight against any form of violence inflicted on children. 

At the level of the African continent, this year’s DAC theme states: “Humanitarian Action in Africa: children rights first".