Weekly overview: What happened in the International day of the African Child in Angola?

 The theme of the Day of the African Child (DAC) 2022 is ‘Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy and Practice since 2013’.

The prevalence of harmful cultural practices continues to violate the rights of children across the continent.

On this day we talked to children and motivated them to fight for their rights. We also organized a women's movement where we talked about violence against women and girls.

In this conversation we indicate that harmful practices include 'all behaviour, attitudes and/or practices which negatively affect the fundamental rights of women and girls, such as their right to life, health, dignity, education and physical integrity'.

The harm that harmful practices cause forces children to experience immediate physical and mental consequences. These practices further cause a negative impact on children’s dignity, physical, psychosocial, moral integrity and development, participation, health, educational, economic and social status. 

Harmful practices have negative consequences on children and they are likely to cause physical, psychological, economic and social harm and/or violence and limitations on children’s capacity to participate fully in society or develop and reach their full potential. Harmful practices are imposed on children by family, community members and society at large.

The AU Agenda 2063, under Aspiration 6, calls for ending all forms of gender-based violence, including harmful practices.

The elimination of all forms of harmful practices is also clearly reflected in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 (target 5.3) ‘Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and FGM’. Target 16.2 of the SDGs seeks to realize the right of every child to live free from fear, neglect, all forms of abuse and exploitation. 

Background of the commemoration of DAC 2013

The Committee would like to recall that the theme of the DAC 2013 was ‘Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices Affecting Children: Our Collective Responsibility’. The Committee would also like to recall the objectives of the DAC 2013 which were : 

- To take stock of and raise awareness about harmful practices against children;

 - To undertake advocacy with African Governments, Civil Society Organizations including faith-based Organizations, the media and other role players for greater mobilization for the realization of the rights of children against harmful practices;

 - To consider effective strategies for the prevention of harmful practices against children; and, 

- To provide a platform for facilitating children’s participation with the aim of gathering children’s views on strategies to eliminate harmful social and cultural practices.

The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (The Committee/ ACERWC), established in accordance with Articles 32 and 33 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (the Charter/ACRWC) selected this theme for the commemoration of the DAC in 2022.

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China-backed peace forum opens in Ethiopia

 Ethiopia is hosting a conference sponsored by China on improving peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

It’s the first gathering of its kind, coming four months after Beijing appointed a veteran diplomat, Xue Bing, as special envoy to the region.

Officials from several East African countries are taking part.

China – which has invested heavily in Ethiopia and neighbouring countries – is increasingly concerned about regional instability.

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North Korea Reports Outbreak of Unidentified Intestinal Disease After Covid-19 Wave

 North Korea has reported an outbreak of an unidentified intestinal disease in the country following the outbreak of covid-19 .

At least 800 families suffering from what North Korea has only called an “acute enteric epidemic” have received aid so far in South Hwanghae Province, about 75 miles south of the capital Pyongyang.

State media reported on Sunday, June 19 that North Korea dispatched medical crews and epidemiological investigators to a province battling the outbreak of an intestinal disease.

The new outbreak, first reported on Thursday, puts further strain on the isolated country as it battles chronic food shortages and a wave of Covid-19 infections.

On Sunday, state news agency KCNA detailed prevention efforts, including quarantines, “intensive screening for all residents,” and special treatment and monitoring of vulnerable people such as children and the elderly.

Ryu Yong Chol, the official in charge of emergency epidemic work in North Korea, warned viewers on state television on Monday that enteric diseases could spread though infected people’s belongings, food and drinks. Strictly isolating patients is important to prevent its spread, he said.

Apart from typhoid and cholera, the polio virus, hepatitis A virus, and dysentery bacillus are among the pathogens that cause enteric diseases, Ryu said.

South Korean officials say the disease North Korea is referring to may be cholera or typhoid.

Disinfection work is being carried out, including of sewage and other waste, to ensure the safety of drinking and household water, the report said.

State newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Friday said medicines prepared by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and others, including his sister, would be delivered to families in South Hwanghae Province.

 

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Covid-19: Angola vaccinates over 18,000 people

 Luanda- Angola has vaccinated, in the last 24 hours, 18,681 people. 

According to the daily bulletin released today, Sunday, the provinces of note are Uíge (4543), Luanda (4009), Huila (1917), Benguela (1555) and Zaire (1279). 

The cumulative total points to 20 301 198 doses administered, of which 13 110 641 with one dose, 7 094 789 with full doses and 707 781 with booster doses.

King Mundume statue to be set up this year

 

Ondjiva - The erection of the statue of King Mandume Ya Ndemufaho, sovereign of Kwanhama, previously conditioned by financial unavailability for the costs of the transportation of the piece from Spain to Angola, will be effective this year.

The statue will be installed in Ondjiva's central square, in the city centre, where King Mandume installed his Embala (Royal Palace) during his reign.

The information was advanced, this Sunday, by the Vice-President of the Republic, Bornito de Sousa, highlighting that special attention is being given to the pedestal monument, where the statue of King Mandume riding on a horse will be placed.

"We believe that in a short period of time we will have this monument installed there, constituting a reference point for visitors," he said.

State Secretary highlights importance of rural schools

Ombadja - The Secretary of State for Family and WomenPromotion, Elsa Barber, this Sunday highlighted the importance of the creation of field schools in the insertion of families and empowerment of women in communities.

Speaking to the press, on the sidelines of the visit of the Vice-President of the Republic, Bonito de Sousa, to the "Tuapandula Tatekulo" field school, located along the Cafu Canal, she said that these are development projects aimed at the integration of women in the practice of family agriculture.

Due to its importance at the level of the communities, he defended the need to expand these projects at a national level, taking advantage of the water available in the rivers.

He reminded that the Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women Promotion supports this project, within the scope of the management of the cooperatives, and is available to cooperate in order to reach the desired objectives.

In his turn, the coordinator of FAO's southern regional office, Frederico Cativa, said that this camp has 35 members, which corresponds to the same number of families that are practising the production techniques by irrigation.