2024 Regional World Children’s Day Commemorations – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

World Children’s Day activities are held in over 130 countries to provide a platform for children to speak out about their concerns and advocate for children being left behind.

Windhoek, 11 November 2024: Following the regional tradition of World Children’s Day celebration which started in Kazangula, Botswana in 2021, this year, over 200 children and Heads of State from seven SADC countries will gather in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from the 5-17 November 2024, to celebrate the 2024 World Children’s Day, under the theme: Inclusive, Relevant and Quality Education.

The gathering, which will build on the momentum created in Botswana in 2021, Zambia in 2022, and Namibia in 2023, will for the first time be joined by children and Heads of State from Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa.

Speaking before the departure of the Namibian delegation to Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare’s Hon. Doreen Sioka expressed her excitement to have more countries joining the celebrations.

“What started as an idea between four countries sharing borders is slowly bringing other SADC members together. I am hopeful that soon we will be able to have the whole of Africa celebrating one event in one country,” said Sioka.

The 2024 World Children’s Day theme aligns with the African Union’s 2024 focus on education: “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa,” highlighting critical education issues affecting the lives of children across the globe.

Countries will advocate for the continued meaningful participation of children – a right enshrined as one of the core principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The gathering will also revisit and gauge progress on “A Call to Action” made by children in Walvis Bay, to address climate change, violence against children, transform education, and ensure inclusive quality education for all, while calling for countries to listen to them and engage them in policy decisions.

“As we celebrate the gains made by countries and indeed Africa in the realization of children’s rights, we take cognizant of the fact that our celebration is clouded by emerging issues that impact the rights of children and our road to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” said UNICEF Representative Mr. Samuel Ocran.

While Namibia continues to be an exemplary force in addressing children’s rights, climate and environmental hazards are having devastating impacts on the well-being and future of children, and the looming current drought in Southern Africa is threatening their health, nutrition, education, development, survival, and future.

“As a country, our decision to ratify the Convention on the Rights of a Child – just six months after our independence on 28 September 1990, enabled us to adopt key instruments to protect all children in Namibia – wherever they might be. However, our work continues due to these emerging global social challenges, and as a Ministry, we are ready to work with children, the youth, and our international partners to address them,” emphasized Sioka.

Namibia will send 15 students from the Kavango East, Omaheke, and Karas regions to join children from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in celebrating this meaningful day.

“We at UNICEF see child participation as one of the foundations of our mandate. This regional celebration that brings together children from different countries demonstrates the consultative nature of the process – to ensure that children take ownership and are part of the shared responsibility in their development. We continue to be committed to working with the Namibian Government, stakeholders, and children themselves to address issues they are facing today and to make a difference in the lives of our present and future generation. We look forward to the deliberations in Zimbabwe,” said Samuel Ocran.

Background:
Every 20th of November, the world celebrates World Children’s Day to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the United Nations General Assembly.

World Children’s Day is a day by and for children. It is a day where children around the world are invited to express their opinions on issues that matter to them. The day highlights the right to participation, which is one of the underpinning principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

This day is dedicated to promoting, advocating, and celebrating child rights through dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

The 2024 Regional World Children’s Day commemorations (taking place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe) will build on the Calls-to-Action of children and the commitments made by the Heads of State at the previous celebrations, which focused on education, climate, children with disabilities, and the need for society to be inclusive and uphold child rights.

At the 2024 Regional World Children’s Day commemorations, children from the participating countries will present an updated Call-for-Action and hold their governments accountable for the commitments made on promoting child rights. The 2024 Regional World Children’s Day commemorations will be held on a weekend, from 15 to 17 November.

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Issued by:
Public Relations Office
Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare

And

Communication and Partnership Specialist
UNICEF Namibia