Fatoumatta: The International Day of the African Child aligns with two other significant events. Father’s Day is an occasion to honor and celebrate the influential men in our lives, reflecting on the wisdom, love, and guidance of fathers that offer comfort and solace. Eid al-Adha, a religious celebration, marks Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, which was averted by God’s intervention, providing a ram in the child’s place. This act symbolizes Abraham’s devotion and adherence to God’s will, highlighting the importance of faith, sacrifice, and obedience in Islam.
The commemoration of the Day of the African Child has gained increasing importance. Movements such as “Black Lives Matter,” along with police brutality and injustices amidst precautionary measures and responses, reflect the numerous challenges and restricted freedoms that sparked the “Soweto Uprising” on June 16, 1976. This day pays tribute to African children, encourages reflection, and addresses their struggles. It carries profound symbolism, recognizing the value and potential of the children of Africa and their essential role in shaping the future. The Soweto Uprising marks a critical juncture in the fight against apartheid.
The International Day of the African Child is celebrated every year on June 16 in remembrance of the students who took part in the Soweto Uprising of 1976. On this date, thousands of black schoolchildren in Soweto, South Africa, took a stand against the substandard quality of their education and asserted their right to be instructed in their own language. Their peaceful demonstration was met with violent repression, leading to the tragic deaths of numerous young students, including the emblematic Hector Pieterson.
Fatoumatta: The International Day of the African Child, recognized by the African Union, is commemorated annually on June 16. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the plight of African children and the pressing need to improve their living standards. It emphasizes the importance of enhancing the education provided to African children and tackling the challenges they encounter, including access to quality education, healthcare, and safeguarding against violence and exploitation. The day also motivates actions to confront the everyday difficulties African children face, honoring their courage and resilience. It serves as a summons to governments, NGOs, international entities, and stakeholders to unite in dialogue to surmount these obstacles and secure a brighter future for Africa’s youth. We should all contemplate our role in fostering the growth and development of our children, ensuring their rights are respected, advocating on their behalf, and above all, ensuring their protection.
Today, African children are confronting numerous grave challenges that affect their well-being and future. In South Sudan, for instance, there is an unprecedented number of admissions for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) treatment, the most lethal type of malnutrition. It is estimated that this year, 3.5 million children will suffer from acute malnutrition, with more than 700,000 of them expected to be affected by SAM. The persistent conflict has caused the largest child displacement crisis in the world, with approximately 3 million children internally displaced due to recent hostilities, adding to the 2 million displaced by earlier crises. Over 70% of healthcare facilities in areas impacted by conflict have ceased functioning, and two-thirds of the populace are without healthcare access. The crisis is worsened by health workers who have gone months without pay.
Additionally, there has been a marked rise in cholera cases, with over 10,000 suspected cases and 300 deaths, of which 16% are children under five, reported by the end of January. Moreover, measles outbreaks have been noted in regions with a high number of displaced children.
The 2023-24 El Niño event, one of the most intense on record, has triggered floods, droughts, and disease outbreaks, endangering the health and nutrition of 45 million children. Concurrently, there has been a resurgence of child labor, with children undertaking hazardous work, even in nations where such practices were previously eradicated, marking a troubling regression from progress achieved over a decade ago. Additionally, the swift progression of AI technologies presents risks to children, including exposure to unsuitable online content and potential harm due to the absence of impartial input in interactions with children. These challenges underscore the critical need for collective action to safeguard and enhance the lives of African children, ensuring their access to essential rights such as safety, nutrition, education, and healthcare.
The Day of the African Child is a call to action for individuals to contribute positively to the life of an African child. It commemorates the young lives lost on June 16, 1976, during the Soweto Uprising in South Africa, where events and programs are organized globally to spotlight these ongoing issues. This day honors the bravery of students who protested for their right to quality education, with approximately ten thousand black school children marching against educational inequities, leading to tragic consequences and further unrest. Hector Pieterson became an emblem of the uprising after his image, posthumously carried by a fellow Soweto resident, was widely circulated. His death anniversary is observed as Youth Day in South Africa, a tribute to the youth and a reminder of their continuing struggles. As we observe the Day of the African Child, our collective goal is to ensure that no child is left behind in Africa’s development. The Day of the African Child also serves as an opportunity to reflect and act.
Fatoumatta: The need persists today: over half of the 57 million primary school-age children not in school globally are from sub-Saharan Africa, and they are not educated in their native languages.
All Black lives trace back to Africa, a continent fragmented and dominated since the British colonies’ 1619 slavery era, the 1884-5 Berlin Conference, and through centuries of violence, erasure, and indoctrination.
The world suffers from violence, economic exclusion, and the unjust control of narratives, laws, and poverty. These issues are not isolated or emergent; they stem from a history of supremacy that has shaped nations’ foundations, justified wars, and exploited resources. Africa’s history has been misrepresented, echoing Mariam Makeba’s words: “You do not know anything about any place until the white man gets there. Only when he comes, and he says ‘boof’ I have discovered you – know you exist, which is ridiculous.”
Black lives continue to face severe indignities, whether through police brutality, protests for basic needs, or abuse within legal systems, mirroring the biased jurisprudence in criminal justice, the erosion of rights for African children, or exploitative multinational labor practices.
Fatoumatta: The hierarchy of supremacy is deeply rooted in generations of privilege, often overlooked or dismissed where power prevails. It seems as pervasive as the air we breathe, the disingenuous smiles we encounter, and the traumatic triggers we confront every day. The International Day of the African Child serves as a time to reflect on the advancements made in upholding children’s rights across the African continent and to evaluate the forthcoming challenges in safeguarding those rights.
