International Day of the African Child: The Unending Plight of African Children

Colonization was the greatest evil ever done to Africa. All in the name of colonization, many atrocities were done to subject the native to the aliens/invaders’ rule. Just like yesterday, in June 16, 1976 during the Apartheid era in South Africa, many young children were killed for demanding for an improved and quality education. Every 16^th of June since 1991, has been earmarked by the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) to honor those that were killed and those that joined in the protest march, and also to condemn this dastardly act.

 But this day also provides an avenue to delve on the plight of an African Child. The world of an African Child is plagued with Poverty, Trafficking, Diseases, molestation, Child Labour and Harassment to mention but a few. A lot have been said and done to fight these problems by the UN; but sadly, it has not really been felt by the African Child because our politicians are busy enriching themselves. They do politics as if they are in an open market; they care less about the leaders of tomorrow.

From West to East, North to South, trafficking goes unchecked, parents are forced to engage their children in early labour due to the high poverty rate across the land thus exposing such children to some unfriendly attitudes and habits like smoking, keeping bad friends, robbery, and many other negative influences.  One may be tempted to ask: “what mechanisms have been put in place to address this anomaly in our social system? They are Negligible, if any at all. The UN through its agent, UNICEF should do more to sanitize the situation and relevant authorities in Africa should stand up to their responsibilities in providing, defending and protecting the African Child