CIBITOKE, July 2nd (ABP) – On Thursday 27 June, the province of Cibitoke celebrated the International Day of the African Child, 2024 edition, under the theme “Education for all children in Africa: the time has come”. The celebrations took place at the Cibitoke stadium. They began with a procession of children in front of the guest gallery.
The children’s representative, Chadia Christa Irangarukiye, thanked the organisers of the event and invited parents to preach by setting a good example. Anicet Saïdi, Head of the Bubanza Governor’s Office, noted that the day was being celebrated at a time when Burundi was making progress in the welfare and protection of children. He cited the establishment of committees for the protection of children’s rights throughout the country, from the hills to the national level.
Gertrude Niyokindi, head of the Provincial Department of Family and Social Development (DPDFS), said the day was a reminder of the importance of supporting the continent’s children in general and those of Burundi in particular. She added that it was an opportunity to take stock of the situation with regard to the protection of children’s rights.
The representative of the organisations working in the field of children in Cibitoke Province pointed out that progress had been made, but deplored the cases of violations of children’s rights reported here and there in Cibitoke Province. These include children subjected to corporal punishment, forced labour, lack of school supplies, school drop-outs, cases of underage rape and unwanted pregnancies, and children living on the streets. He urged all partners to work together to promote education and protect children’s rights.