Day of the African-Child: Anti-trafficking campaign launched

Plan-supported village child protection groups are helping children to realise their rights

The Chairman of the African Union yesterday launched a regional anti-trafficking campaign, just one of a number of Plan initiatives marking this year's Day of the African Child.

Union Chairman and Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika oversaw the launch of the anti-trafficking campaign that has been in the making since late last year.

Addressing the 3,000 people in attendance, he said that he would "like to appeal to people of Africa to combine their forces to protect children, to create a safe environment and ensure that children grow up into useful citizens of our beloved continent."

World Cup concern

Prompted by the shocking number of children migrating illegally and being trafficked between the region’s porous borders, Plan staff from 4 countries were driven to act by concern raised over trafficking opportunities created by the football World Cup in South Africa.

Anti-trafficking legislation does exist, but it is rarely enforced, so advocacy experts at Plan Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe came together to form the regional campaign.

Their aim is to learn more about migration and trafficking through research, push for better legal frameworks to prosecute guilty traffickers, and make sure that government institutions and other non-governmental organisations can uphold their duty to protect children.

Training for immigration and customs officials on the Zambia/Malawi border has already begun with more courses to start soon.

School abuse

In Ghana, the day was marked with a debate and theatrical performance to raise awareness on violence in schools. Prior to this Plan Ghana conducted a study on abuse in schools as part of the Learn Without Fear campaign, which will be essential to help plan future programme activities.

The study showed that over half of all sexual abuse occurs in school environments. It also reveals that 14% of school children have been sexually abused, with girls being most vulnerable.

Kick off… for children’s health

Plan Europe is also recognising the day with a World Cup theme. As part of their work with the European 'Action for Global Health' network, Plan has launched an online football game called 'Kick off…for children’s health,' to call for urgent action in the fight against child mortality. Find out more and play the game.

Day of the African Child commemorates the 1976 protest in which thousands of black South African children took to the streets to protest at their living and educational conditions. Many young girls and boys were shot down, and more than 100 people were killed in the weeks that followed.