BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – Day of the African Child.
The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku has come out to say the Government of Eswatini sees children as the foundation on which sustainable development should be planted upon.
Thus investing in children is the Government’s deliberate action aimed at upholding the child’s best interests and further making Eswatini fit for every child.
Masuku was speaking during the last phase, of the International Day of the African Child 2023 which was commemorated today at eKhwezi High School in the Lubombo Region.
The DPM said children are the greatest asset and most precious treasure for the Kingdom of Eswatini and DPM’s office which partners to commemorate the Day of the African Child (DAC) with learners.
The Kingdom of Eswatini has been commemorating the DAC since 2007 when the government declared the month of June as Children’s Month in the country
“The Kingdom of Eswatini has been commemorating the DAC since 2007 when the government declared the month of June as Children’s Month in the country,” said Masuku.
In addition, Masuku said The Day of the African Child demonstrates the importance of defending children’s rights in the digital space.
“Nowadays, the Day of the African Child is an opportunity to celebrate the realization of the rights of the African child, in line with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The purpose is also to raise awareness of the challenges that children face. One of the most pressing challenges facing African children today is a lack of access to digital technology,” he said.
He further highlighted that these rights include not only children’s rights to protection from all forms of violence but also their rights to participation and expression of opinion. Without adequate safeguards, children will be at a greater risk of harm online. Children face the same dangers online as they do offline, and therefore must be protected.
