The United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) is urging African leaders to unite in fostering justice, equality, and opportunity for the continent’s children, aligning with international laws.
This call to action was delivered virtually by Ambassador Tunji Asaolu on the International Day of the African Child, celebrated annually on June 16.
The International Day of the African Child commemorates the tragic Soweto Uprising of 1976, where South African students protested educational injustice and faced brutal suppression.
Asaolu emphasised that the bravery of the young souls in Soweto was a poignant reminder of the urgent responsibility to foster justice, equality, and opportunity for every African child.
Asaolu stressed the imperative for adequate investment in education, protection from violence, abuse, and neglect, and provision of healthcare services to bolster the African child’s overall development and future prospects.
He cited the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as a fundamental framework for recognizing the inherent dignity and equal rights of every child.
The UN-WCD urged governments and stakeholders to expedite the effective realisation of all international policies and frameworks pertaining to children’s rights and welfare.
Asaolu emphasised that the rights of the child should not merely exist on paper but thrive in homes, schools, communities, and governments.
To ensure every African child can aspire and achieve, the ambassador urged investment in education, fortification of child protection systems, and cultivation of safe environments.
By working together, African leaders can create a brighter future for the continent’s children.
