CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

APDH, a non-profit organization born of a school club of human rights, seeks to contribute to the respect of human rights in general and of the child in particular. The International Day of the African Child is celebrated with the spirit of sensitizing, respecting and promoting the rights of the child in general and the African child in particular. This year in Burundi, the 16th was celebrated at the national and provincial levels at the AGASAKA stadium in Ngozi on Thursday on June 24, 2021 from 10:00 am. In their respective address to participants, the different authorities made mention of the need to promote, defend and respect the rights of children in all their forms. The games and plays played were also bearers of this message in their entirety.

Thus, as part of the implementation of its program "Support and promotion of the realization of rights, prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts for the benefit of vulnerable populations", APDH had planned a presentation of interactive theater by student members of the CSDH from RUKECO Junior High school.

This theater was presented during the celebration, so that the students contribute, not only to the change of mentalities of the communities but also and especially so that these students, enjoy their rights as subjects of rights, in a community where equity and social justice are respected.

Several personalities and organizations were present for the celebration, among others the authorities from the provincial administration, the representative of the communal administrator of Ngozi, the President of the provincial children's Forum, the President of the child protection committee in Ngozi province, i.e. 12 participants and other actors working in favor of children in Ngozi province, including Terre des hommes, Foundation Stam, OIDEB, APRODEM-GIRIZINA, Eh 'Ikirezi, Giriteka Centre and Red Cross. Schoolchildren and students from primary and secondary schools around the city of Ngozi were invited and the celebration began with a parade by them.

In their words of address, the different authorities made mention of the need to promote, defend and respect the rights of children in all their forms. The games and plays played were also were bearers of this type of message in their entirety.

Through role plays, the message was to bring parents and authorities to understand the social issues that threaten the dignity of children and take the right decisions to improve the protection of children's rights and to help children and youth become actors of change in their communities.

As the festivities coincided with the special day dedicated to African children, a question and answer session on children's rights was organized by APDH with prizes for those who answered best. The questions were asked in public, and the children who answered better received different prizes that they appreciated very much. These included buckets, toilet soaps, laundry soaps, registers, loincloths and a radio for the finalist winner.