Africa-Press – Liberia. The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MOGCSP) and UNICEF recently marked World Children’s Day in Monrovia. The event, held on December 7, 2023, at the EJS Ministerial Complex, Congo Town, revolved around the global theme “For Every Child, Every Right” and the local theme “Investing in Children’s Rights”.
World Children’s Day was traditionally celebrated in October but was changed to November 20 to commemorate the anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. The commemoration highlighted Liberia’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and well-being of its children.
Roosevelt S. Klafleh, Assistant Minister of Research, Policy, and Planning at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, emphasized the importance of cherishing children’s laughter, innocence, and boundless potential. He stated that World Children’s Day, established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day, aims to promote international togetherness, raise awareness for children worldwide, and improve their welfare.
The Day is an initiative of the United Nations and emphasizes children’s fundamental rights. It seeks to promote and protect children’s rights as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, including the right to education, health, protection, and participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
This year’s celebration marked the 69th anniversary of International Children’s Day. Klafleh stressed that World Children’s Day serves as a global reminder to protect and promote children’s rights. He called on parents to pledge their commitment to creating an environment where every child in Liberia can thrive and fulfill their potential.
Klafleh asserted that children’s rights encompass a range of fundamental principles, such as education, healthcare, safety, self-expression, and participation in decision-making. He urged Liberian society to ensure that children’s rights become more than just words on paper, but the embodiment of collective values and actions.
The government pledged to invest in the well-being of Liberian children and called on local and international partners to support their commitment. Amadou Alassane Cissé, acting UNICEF Representative in Liberia, explained that the global theme, “For Every Child, Every Right”, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that no child is denied their basic rights, such as equality in education, quality health, protection, and participation in decision-making.
In the Liberian context, the theme has been adapted to “Investing in Children’s Rights,” recognizing that children are not just beneficiaries but also agents of change. Cissé called for greater investment in children’s rights, as many challenges such as lack of education, clean water, sanitation, malnutrition, diseases, and violence still affect them.
He urged the government to allocate more resources and enact policies to protect and promote children’s rights, communities to create a safe and supportive environment, and parents to provide the best care and guidance for their children. Cyrus K. Wiah, Children Representative Forum Speaker, highlighted the importance of prioritizing the best interests of children in Liberia’s budgetary processes. He emphasized the need for children to participate in budget decisions and expressed the importance of their voices being heard to make their rights a reality.
Overall, the commemoration of World Children’s Day in Monrovia emphasized the significance of protecting and promoting the rights of children in Liberia. It underscored the need for investment, collaboration, and actions to ensure that every child can thrive and fulfill their potential.
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