International Day of the African Child

International Day of the African Child commemorates killed people during the Soweto Uprising in South Africa.

On June 16th, 1971, more than 20,000 South African students in the town of Soweto took to the streets - demanding to be taught in their language. Police officers had killed hundreds of protesters to response. Now a public holiday in South Africa, known as Youth Day, the day is also recognized as the International Day of African Child around the world. This day focuses attention on the barriers that African children face in order to receive a quality education. Let's observe this day together and pay tribute to past students who have dedicated their lives to their communities by helping today's students achieve their goals through scholarships offered on the basis of their African Heritage.

International Day of the African Child’s history

The Soweto uprising began on June 16th, 1976. Thousands of black schoolchildren in South Africa led this series of demonstrations and demonstrations. The students protested against issues related to the government-sanctioned racist regime in the student community.

On the way to Orlando Stadium in Soweto, heavily armed police encountered the students. Police fired tear gas and real bullets to students. The result was an uprising against the South African government. The uprising spread throughout the country and lasted for many months. It is reported that more than 170 people have died during the Soweto Uprising. One of the youngest victims was only 12 years old. The United Nations Security Council strongly condemns the incident and the racist government.

Twenty years after the uprising, it was the creation of South African Schools Act. This law ended compulsory discrimination in schools in South Africa. The law also mandates primary education for all children starting at age 7. Despite this, many children in South Africa and other parts of the continent do not receive a quality education. Girls in particular face many barriers to getting any education. A lot of Africa children often drop out of school before 10 years old. Other children across the continent do not have enough food or adequate shelter.

Some facts for International Day of the African Child

• The June 16th annual event honors the memory of students massacred in Soweto, South Africa, in 1976 for protesting against educational injustice and inequality in the apartheid regime.
• The African Union designated as International Day of the African Child in 1991 and every year events are organized to promote children's rights.
• Thirty million of 57 million children out of school in the world belong to sub-Saharan Africa.
• The biggest event this year was the African Union youth takeover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by 500 young people from countries across the continent.
• On June 16th, there are only 560 days left until the last day of the Millennium Development Goals 2015, MDG2 deadline to ensure that all the world's children go to school and learn.
• One in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa doesn't live to their fifth birthday - even though the child mortality rate has dropped 45% between 1990 and 2012.
• More than 100 events in more than 40 countries are being held around the world to mark Action Day for African Children and Youth.
• A campaign to end child marriage across Africa was launched by the African Union in May. In low- and middle-income countries, one in three girls will get married at the age of 18.
• One of the purposes of International Day of the African Child is to highlight harmful practices such as genital mutilation. Thirty million girls in Africa are at risk of undergoing FGM over the next decade.
• The poorest children in sub-Saharan Africa are four and a half times more likely to miss school than the wealthiest children.
• By 2050, almost a third of the world's children under 18 will be African.
• Children of African women with at least 5-year-school have a 40% higher chance of survival.
• UNICEF and its partners have secured the release of more than 1000 children from armed groups in the Central African Republic this year, more than five times the total number of children released in 2013.
• There is a large variation in enrollment rates between African countries - from 37% for boys and 34% for girls in Eritrea to 98% for both boys and girls in Tanzania.

What do you do in International Day of the African Child?

• Make a donation

There are many charities that support the education of children in Africa. K.I.N.D. project is launched by UNICEF and Lawrence O'Donnell of NBC news, buy tables and benches for children in Malawi. Consider writing checks.

• Volunteer at a local school

It is not necessary live in Africa to commemorate International Day of the African Child. Spend time and find some volunteer opportunities at your local school or daycare center. Take your time with some kids.

• Learn more about the issues

We are all part of humanity. The more we learn to understand each other, the more a planet can become harmonious. Take a moment to learn more about the African continent, its history and the challenges its children face.

Some reasons for International Day of the African Child being important

• Education as a human right

Around the world, free and public education is considered a basic human right. International Day of the African Child encourages governments across the continent to provide quality education for children.

• It has important roots

This date goes back to the Soweto uprising in South Africa in 1971, when students took to the streets to protest against the discriminatory education policies of the South African government.

• It highlights the value of education

Education is the key to children growing up successfully. There are mountains of data showing that children with a quality education at all levels have a higher chance of success. International Day of the African Child reminds us that African children deserve a good education.