Rwanda’s Day of African Child focuses on end of child labour

KIGALI – Rwanda has announced plans to stamp out child labour, which victimises hundreds of thousands of children across the country.

According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda’s Integrated Household Living Conditions data, about 367 810 children in Rwanda are engaged in child labour.

The small central African country on Saturday celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Day of the African child in Gikoba village, Tabagwe sector in Nyagatare district, Eastern province.

The Day of the African child is commemorated every year on 16 June by all member states of the African Union.

This year, it was celebrated under the theme “Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting all Children’s Rights”.

Speaking at the event, Judith Uwizeye, Rwanda’s minister of public service and labour, said individuals and organisations using unde-age children in their work-related activities will face tough times ahead.

“Children are supposed to be in schools, not in the labour force. It is good that we have this day today to try and resolve the problem facing our children,” she told hundreds of parents and children gathered at the event, which also attracted Rwanda’s First Lady, Jeannette Kagame.

Uwizeye called upon parents to allow their children to have access to education, adding that the government is committed to children’s rights, assuring that it is their duty as government to see to it that the rights of children are protected. She stated that the ministry will work together with all stakeholders to eliminate all forms of child labour in the next few years.

However, Papias Malimba Musafiri, Rwanda’s minister of education, said the day is an opportunity to sensitise communities about the dangers of engaging children in hazardous work.

“Our economic progress loses a lot of meaning if hundreds and thousands of children are not in schools and have no hope of a future,” he added.

The ministry of labour has laid out several strategies to do away with all forms of child labour across the country – including withdrawing all children engaged in child labour – through periodic inspections at establishments known to be susceptible to employing them.

There are also rehabilitation strategies, providing required assistance for all children withdrawn from exploitative child labour and integrating them into the formal education and vocational school system.

At the event, Rwanda’s First Lady called on parents and all stakeholders to work with the government to eliminate child labour and protect the rights of children.

“Let’s ensure every child is protected and allowed to grow in a conducive family environment. Services to our children like education, health and other forms of protection must be secured,” Mrs Kagame stressed. –

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