UNICEF Celebrates World Children’s Day
UNICEF-Sierra Leone marked World Children’s Day on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, with lively celebrations at the Sierra Leone Football Academy in Kingtom, Freetown. The event, themed “Listen to the Future,” highlighted children’s rights, concerns, and talents through football, music, and dance.
Schoolchildren shared letters addressing issues like child marriage, child labour, and overcrowded classrooms. UNICEF Country Representative Rudolf Schwenk stressed the urgency of addressing these challenges, citing alarming statistics on child mortality, school dropout rates, and harmful practices like FGM. He urged stronger action to amplify children’s voices and safeguard their rights.
Deputy Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Emily Gogra acknowledged the problem of overcrowded classrooms, promising improvements. Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Boaki Hindowa Bindi and MP Mario Conteh assured that the revised Child Rights Bill would be passed by year-end, bolstering protections for children.
The day underscored the need for collaboration to secure a brighter future for Sierra Leone’s children.
