On World Children’s Day celebration: Plan Int’l Cameroon recommits to protecting, promoting children’s rights.

The Country Director of Plan International Cameroon, Mohammed Bah, made the declaration in Yaounde Monday November 20. He was speaking on the occasion of 2023 World Children’s Day.

The event at the Cardinal Paul Emile Leger National Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, was jointly organised by Plan International Cameroon and the United Nations Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF. 

Bah in his speech during occasion said: “Today in more than 85 countries around the world and in Cameroon for 26 years, Plan International continues to support all the players in the child protection chain and the government of Cameroon in their respective strategies to protect the rights of children”

He said the World Children’s Day offers a unique opportunity for the public to be sensitised on the rights of a child and the need to promote and shine the light on these rights.

“On the occasion, all those on the chain of protection of children’s rights; parents, families, communities and government…civil society, religious and community leaders, development partners and the children themselves have an important role to play,” Bah stated.

He acknowledged that a lot has been achieved in the protection and promotion of children’s rights in Cameroon, but said more action is still needed in the domain.

Quizzed on what Plan International Cameroon is concretely doing on the field, the Country Director said: “We identify the rights of children which aren’t respected and once that is done, we tailor our programmes to ensure these rights are made concrete…we accompany everyone by proving technical assistance to government services, local communities, families as well as financial assistance whenever it is possible”.

Plan Int’l Cameroon Country Director, Mohammed Bah, speaking during event

Bah also stated that his organisationm raises a lot of awareness on the need for all to be very active in making these rights concrete, especially for children in crisis situations, those with disabilities, children from very poor families and the most vulnerable children wherever they are. 

Children demand more

Danielle Mfegue, from an orphanage home in Yaounde VI Subdivision, who spoke on behalf of her peers, appealed for more concrete actions from government and its partners in protecting and promoting their rights.

She regretted that children still suffer rejection, various forms of abuse, are victims of conflicts. 

Mfegue requested that the stakeholders must not relent in their efforts in ensuring a safe and healthy environment for children.

“We the children are inviting the government and its partners for more engagement, determination, availability and to put concrete resources to create a safe and protective environment us,” Mfegue pleaded. 

The children’s spokesperson told her peers that the respect of their rights to education, health, shelter among others also entails that they have to speak out.

Cross section of children at 2023 World Children’s Day in Yaounde

Social Affairs minister says need to intensify campaign

The Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irene Nguene, who chaired the commemorative activities emphasised that the campaign for the protection and protection of the rights of the child has to be intensified.

Minister Irene Nguene said the management and support of vulnerable children in particular is priority to government, with actions taken ensure their welfare.

“In conformity with the policy of social protection and fight against social exclusion advocated by the Head of State, the Ministry of Social Affairs in collaboration with other ministries and the support of partners, is not relenting efforts in providing response to problems faced by children in their families, in the streets…,” the minister said.

The event saw the distribution of kits, comprising of food items and toiletries to some 200 children.  

About World Children’s Day

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children's rights. The 2023 edition was celebrated under theme: “For every child, every right”.