Monrovia – Plan International Country Director, Dr. Ufuoma Omo-obi Festus has officially launched a Child-Friendly Version (CFV) of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The CFV of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was launched by Dr. Omo-obi Festus at an event marking the commemoration of the Day of the African Child (DAC) on Thursday at the Plan International (PIL) main compound in Congo Town, Monrovia.
In 2020, Plan International and Save the Children lobbied the African Union (AU) to allow both organizations to develop a Child-Friendly Version (CFV) of the Charter for full understanding of Charter by children.
Commenting during launch of the CFV of the African Charter, Dr. Omo-obi Festus reiterated Plan International commitment to the rights of children in Africa and the rest of the world, and said the organization will continue to stand with children and ensure their rights are achieved everywhere they are.
“As a global organization we want everyone everywhere across the continent and across the world to respect the rights of a child. And that is why we are here today.” The PIL Country Director stated.
According to Dr. Omo-obi Festus, Education is key in addressing the challenges and barriers that prevent children from achieving their rights, and is also a remedy for prevention of harmful practices against them.
He averred that PIL is committed to duplication of the Child Friendly Version (CFV) of the Charter and will ensure booklets of the document is available to children and all stake holders in Liberia. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the child forms the basis of the legal and legislative instrument that promotes the rights of children across Africa.
Plan International Liberia and its partners on Thursday, 16 June, celebrated the Day of the African Child in colors at the main compound of the organization in Congo Town, Monrovia.
Dozens of children from communities around Monrovia received prizes for excellent performance in poetic work, essay, skits, speeches and best African dress code during a competition organized to allow young children showcase their creativity around the national theme of this year’s celebration of the Day of the African Child (DAC).
The children delivered messages highlighting the plight of African Children, calling on national government and duty bearers to do more to protect the rights and welfare of children. The 2022 DAC national theme, alongside a global theme, states “creating a space for children to speak against harmful practices affecting their wellbeing”.
Plan International Liberia Country Office (CO) deemed it fit to organize a competition for children to voice their feelings while contributing to the advocacy of the day.
Meanwhile, similar activities in celebration of the DAC took place at the level of PIL field offices in Bomi, Lofa, and Nimba where the organization’s field staff worked with children and local partners to organized colorful events including parades and speeches by children.
PIL Country Strategy (CS) 2019-2022 targets 600,000 girls and young women in Liberia, ensuring that they grow up equally valued and cared for in resilient communities, enjoy bodily integrity and freedom from violence and harmful practices.
The organization commenced operation in Liberia since 1982 but later shut down due to the Liberia civil crisis, and resume activities in 2006. To date, a total case load of 24,250 children are currently benefiting from PIL core Sponsorship Child (SC) program covering Lofa, Bomi and Nimba Counties where series of sponsorship community development interventions covering WASH, Health, Youth Empowerment, SRHR, and Education is ongoing.