The number of issues requiring urgent solutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one that relates to children’s better living conditions. Chantal Safou Lopusa, the Minister of Gender, Family and Children seized the opportunity offered by the commemoration of 16 June of the International Day of the African Child to challenge, in this year 2017, the Congolese national conscience on aspects, including the protection of the rights of the child.
In her address to the nation, the minister immediately recalled that this commemoration, instituted by the African Union, is in memory of the massacre of June 16, 1976 of hundreds of children of Soweto in South Africa by the power of apartheid! Thousands of black South African schoolchildren had only been walking peacefully in the streets to demand better access to education, a fundamental right that was fatal to them, the minister added.
For Mrs. Safou, this day serves to remind us of the many obstacles that remain for the Congolese to rise in order to allow children to achieve all they can. The day also highlights the important work being done in favor of children’s rights in Africa. From the place of choice reserved for the promotion of the child, the minister said, UN and African Union conventions recognize children’s rights in four (4) areas, namely the right to life and Survival, the right to development, the right to protection and the right to participation.
« Accelerating Protection, Empowerment and Equal Opportunities for Children in Africa by 2030 », the theme chosen for this year in connection with this commemoration. The theme, said Mrs. Safou, the firm will President Joseph Kabila Kabange to promote and protect the rights of Congolese children and improve their living conditions so that they can build better opportunities for the future.
From her Ministry, Mrs. Safou spoke about the specific national theme of « Combating chronic malnutrition ». This option, it added, reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening nutrition activities, including through a strategic plan that the DRC has set up to combat chronic malnutrition by infant and young child.
To her compatriots, the minister said that this celebration is an invitation for her Ministry to act in a multidimensional framework that integrates the rulers, communities, families and children themselves as agents of positive change. In particular, the minister announced a fortnight of child rights, from 16 June to 2 July 2017, marked by activities organized by various actors in the field of children. The aim of this fortnight is to promote the rights of every child, including the right to provide a balanced and adequate diet. Particular emphasis is placed on combating marriages and other early pregnancies.
It also includes information sessions to increase community awareness on balanced nutrition, nutritional support to be provided to shelters for vulnerable children in four districts of the city-province of Kinshasa and community outreach on the harm of child marriage and early pregnancy. The ideal of protection, empowerment and equal opportunities for children in Africa and the DRC, in particular, by 2030, could not be realized. A firm commitment by all, a reflection of our interest in these loved ones who represent the future of the DRC,in passing, it is advisable to signal the materialization of the fortnight of the rights of the child with the visits of June 19, 2017 of the minister who rescued the orphanages of the Kinshasa’s municipality of Mont-Ngafula (Pauline Albinos, Pediatric Foundation of Kimbondo and The Center Maman Koko). His visits to the field, particularly in the communes of Ngaba (visit of the Mother and Children Center for material assistance) and Maluku to raise awareness of the enlistment for excellent elections, are proofs of his will do better to boost this Ministry.
Soweto Massacre, never again! C. Safou has thus done better to challenge the national conscience because the end of the tunnel in this matter of protection of the rights of the Congolese child is still far, if not very far.
Devjani Talukdar