Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) has commemorated the Day of the African Child to realise the rights of the African Child towards access to education in the country.
FAWE, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, has maintained that the Children Service Act was established for every child to have a right to free and compulsory education.
Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Deputy Director of Children Services Shem Nyakutu, said that other basic rights of a child are included in the Act so as to create an enabling environment for access to education, and it gives the state obligations concerning the wellbeing of children in accordance with the general rules of international law and treaties.
He noted that the legislation is non-discriminatory as far as age, gender, origin, and disability are concerned.
In a speech read on her behalf by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, State Department of Social Protection and Citizenship, Secretary for Children Services Sidney Achia, the Deputy Director said that the commemoration day gives an opportunity to celebrate the realisation of the rights of the African child in line with the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the child.
Nyakutu noted that the commemoration remembers the bloody massacre meted on children 48 years ago in South Africa, where hundreds of children, who protested the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of learning were massacred in 1976, starting on June 16th, for three days.
The medium of learning, according to Nyakutu, was construed to be a language of oppressors towards the majority black population, adding that its change meant that the black students were to focus more on learning the language than the subject material taught in schools.
“The revolt was led by the children themselves and was out of their desire to have an education which was to be of benefit to them in the long run for Universal education, aptly known as Education for All,” he established.
Nyakutu cited the children’s selfless effort, which was made and continues to be made, not only for South Africa but for the continent as a whole and the diaspora all over the world, and that the Organisation of African Union (OAU) in 1991, now the African Union (AU), has recognised the date as the day of the African child for its member states.
“The AU coordinates the events marking the day by assigning a theme that is relevant to the needs of the African Child with the goal of obtaining solutions to the concerns raised around the theme,” explained Nyakutu, stressing that the Union based in Addis Ababa has targeted the educational aspect of children and has emphasised the “Education for All, Time is Now” theme.
Further, the Deputy Director mentioned that the theme will give an opportunity to reflect on the status of education in various countries and beyond, in realising the goal since children make up the biggest segment of the populace.
Nyakutu announced that the Directorate of Children Service works hand in hand with both state and non-state actors to deliver its mandate of protecting and safeguarding the rights and welfare of the child.
“The Directorate of Children Services acknowledges the good relationship with the private sector and partners as an enabler in child protection endeavours and looks forward to strengthening the systems to realise the well-intended theme of this year,” he remarked.
Speaking at the event, FAWE Secretary General (SG) Dr. Mary Gorreti disclosed that FAWE is located in 34 countries, Kenya being one of them, where it also champions gender equality, equity, and education.
The SG pointed out that believing is key to social change, and despite challenges, many children, especially girls, are still facing barriers including poverty, cultural practices, and gender-based violence, among others, yet there is still hope in resilience and community support.
“We must commit to inclusive education that addresses social and cultural barriers and fosters an environment for holistic development for the children,” urged Dr. Gorreti.
Dr. Gorreti highlighted that FAWE programmes such as Imarisha Msichana are in 160 schools in Kenya spread across 20 counties and were implemented in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation to empower girls through different initiatives such as TUSEME clubs, community engagement, media training, policy review, and implementation in the country and beyond Africa.
She called on parents and all congregants to nurture, protect, and empower the African child since investing in children is investing in Africa’s future.
By Sharon Atieno
