Day of the African Child – June 16, 2004
On the Day of the African Child, the United Nations Children's Fund says some 60 million children in sub-Saharan Africa are in vulnerable situations because of poverty, disease and war. UNICEF says strong families are vital to protect children against exploitation.
In 1976, the African Union designated June 16 as
the Day of the African Child. This was to commemorate the massacre of hundreds
of children who were protesting against South Africa's policy of apartheid
in Sharpville, a settlement near Soweto.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is committed to preventing suffering, saving lives, and creating a better future for families globally and in Africa in particular. Many health challenges are facing Africa today, including:
- Improving maternal and child health through routine immunizations, polio eradication, growth monitoring, and diarrhea and pneumonia care.
- Prevention and control of infectious diseases such
as malaria and tuberculosis. Malaria is the number one cause of children’s
death and sickness.
- Providing family planning, and reproductive health interventions so mothers and children are healthier and families are better able to feed, clothe, and educate their children.
- Fighting against the HIV/AIDS crisis which threatens the prosperity, stability, and development of all nations.
“Let me assure you that the entire U.S. Government is firmly behind improving the health of African women, children and families,” said Dr. Peterson. “USAID will continue to apply cross cutting approaches to the health sector, including health systems strengthening, human resources development with a special focus on women and children to break the vicious cycle of poverty, malnutrition and infectious diseases so mothers and children are healthier and families are better able to feed, clothe, and educate their children.”
The U.N. Children's Fund says thousands of African children continue to die because of war and poverty. Rima Salah, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, says the African family traditionally has provided children with a protective environment. But, she says, the African family has been weakened by conflict and poverty and is no longer playing this important role.
"We have 60 million children in west and central Africa-60
million children are in vulnerable situations. They are the children that are
trafficked. They are the children that are enrolled in the army. They are the
children that are also exploited sexually. They are the children that are working
in very difficult circumstances," Salah said.
U.N. statistics present a gloomy picture. The United Nations estimates 14 million African children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. One million children are orphaned by armed conflict. One-point-two million children are trafficked every year and another two million are sexually exploited through prostitution and pornography.
Ms. Salah says UNICEF believes the family remains the best defense against such exploitation and must be strengthened so that it can play its protective role.
Sources: UNICEF/USAID
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