International Day of the African Child

Annual observance on June 16

The International Day of the African Child,[1] also known as the Day of the African Child (DAC),[2][3] has been celebrated on June 16 every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the OAU Organisation of African Unity.[1] It honors those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 on that day.[2][1] It also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children.[2]

In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young students were shot, the most famous of which being Hector Pieterson. Sadly, more than a hundred people were killed in the protests of the following two weeks, and more than a thousand were injured.

On June 16 every year, governments, NGOs, international organisation', and other stakeholders gather to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the full realization of the rights of children in Africa. For 2014, the theme chosen returns to the roots of the movement: A child-friendly, quality, free, and compulsory education for all children in Africa. It focuses on the barriers African children face in order to receive a quality education. It is also observed to show respect to the past students who dedicated their lives to their community by helping students today to reach their goals through black student scholarships that are provided on the basis of their African heritage.[citation needed]

Africa

## See also

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* African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
* Africa Day
* Children's Day
* International Mother Language Day

## External links

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* Official website
* BNF Youth League Commemorates Day of African Child by Arafat Khan, June 16, 2009
* June 16: International Day of the African Child by Adesoji Adegbulu, June 14, 2014

## References

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1. ^ a b c "Celebrating International Day of the African Child". UNICEF USA. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
2. ^ a b c "The Day of the African Child demonstrates the importance of defending children's rights in the digital space". www.unicef.org. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
3. ^ "About Day of the African Child | ACERWC - African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child". www.acerwc.africa. Retrieved 2023-08-21.