16 June 2024
DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD: A REMINDER ON THE ROLE OF THE AFRICAN CHILD
IN PURSUING DEMOCRATISATION
The Election Resource Centre (ERC Africa) joins the rest of Africa in commemorating the Day
of the African Child 2024, a day of remembrance for the role played by the youth on 16 June
1976 during the Soweto student uprisings. The Day of the African Child is celebrated to
commemorate these children and the brave action they took to defend their rights. The Day of
the African Child also serves to celebrate children of Africa as well as inspire a sober reflection
and action towards addressing the challenges that children in Africa face on a daily basis.
The ERC takes this day to remind the youth that our history is defined by the sacrifices of the
youth in pursuit of a democratic Africa. This history underscores the importance of youths in
safeguarding democracy.
With regular elections now a prerequisite in the pursuit of democratisation for African
countries, the day presents African countries an opportunity to reflect upon the theme for 2024,
“Education for all children in Africa: the time is now.”
Young people constitute the largest population demographic and can play a critical role in
addressing socio-economic challenges faced by citizens.
States must ensure that African children and young people are central to nation
building and have platforms and opportunities around the safeguarding and
strengthening of democratic principles. A key step in achieving this is to raise
awareness of their civic rights and responsibilities at a younger age as well as
removing barriers for stakeholders to participate in this education process.
We implore the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that the syllabus within the
education system includes promoting active citizenship.
We urge the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to consider rolling out civic and voter
education targeting young people in primary, secondary and tertiary education and
those in the informal sector of the economy.
Platforms such as the Junior Councils and Junior Parliament must be supported as
vehicles that can harness the voices of young people to inform public policy and
programs that directly empowers and improves the living conditions of young people
in the country.
We call upon all young wings and/or structures in political parties and movements to
be led by the youths and represent young people effectively thus providing a platform
for leadership development and sharpening on civic and political consciousness critical
in socio-economic development.
Last but not least, we appeal to young people who are turning or are 18 years of age and
above to seriously consider being registered voters and when voting times comes, that they
actively participate and exercise their constitutional rights and responsibilities. This also pays
tribute to the young people who contributed during the struggles for political independence
and the democratisation of Africa.
The ERC encourages Africa States to carry out legislative and administrative measures to
realise the right to education, including the right to education on constitutional rights to all
African children.
For more information
ERC Chairperson
Trust Maanda
+263 77 2432646
ERC Executive Director
Babra Ontibile Bhebe
+263 77 396 3785
information@erczim.org
https://ercafrica.org
Twitter: @ercafrica
