African Child Day in Togo
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© CBM
Augustin, from "Centre Polyvalent Saint Augustin" school in Lome, Togo, reading a memorandum drawing attention to the barriers children with visual impairments experience on the field and at school
On 26 June 2012 CBM, jointly with local partners celebrated the International Day of the African Child in Togo. This was an opportunity for children with disabilities from across Togo to highlight and submit to the government and other stakeholders, their needs and the barriers they face in various areas of life.
The Rights of Children with Disabilities
Centred on the theme 'The Rights of Children with Disabilities: The Duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfill' the Day was celebrated in Togo on 26th June 2012. Approximately 1,000 children and their teachers presented skits, poems and dances in the presence of Minister of Social Affairs, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and Literacy, and Human Rights alongside participants from UNICEF, other UN agencies, International NGOs, Organisations for People with Disabilities and the media.
UNICEF’s Country Representative in Togo, Mrs. Viviane Van Steirteghem, speaking on behalf of Technical and Financial partners, highlighted the issue of discrimination of children with disabilities leading to limited access to healthcare and educational opportunities.
The Minister of Social Affairs and National Solidarity, Mrs. Maimounatou Ibrahima, on her part stated that children with disabilities are victims of violence and neglect. She further noted that due to ignorance, indifference, fear, retrogressive traditions and above all lack of adapted equipments to facilitate their integration, these children cannot properly enjoy their childhood.
To counter this situation, she highlighted the Togolese Government initiatives in this area including ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March 2011; introduction of a Code for protection of Children and the commencement of inclusive education for children with sensory impairments – who are often the most excluded – leading to the drafting of a training manual for inclusive education.
UNICEF’s Country Representative in Togo, Mrs. Viviane Van Steirteghem, speaking on behalf of Technical and Financial partners, highlighted the issue of discrimination of children with disabilities leading to limited access to healthcare and educational opportunities.
The Minister of Social Affairs and National Solidarity, Mrs. Maimounatou Ibrahima, on her part stated that children with disabilities are victims of violence and neglect. She further noted that due to ignorance, indifference, fear, retrogressive traditions and above all lack of adapted equipments to facilitate their integration, these children cannot properly enjoy their childhood.
To counter this situation, she highlighted the Togolese Government initiatives in this area including ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March 2011; introduction of a Code for protection of Children and the commencement of inclusive education for children with sensory impairments – who are often the most excluded – leading to the drafting of a training manual for inclusive education.
Further success
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©CBM
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Augustin, a blind child, presenting to the Togo Minister of Social Affairs and National Solidarity, Mrs. Maimounatou Ibrahima, a memorandum drawing attention to the barriers children with visual impairments experience on the field and at school
For wide-ranging success, the Minister underlined the need for multi-sectoral collaboration; she noted that it was the right moment to advocate with the Government to take into consideration the needs of children with disabilities in the upcoming 2013 national budget process.
The highlight of the day was by Children with Disabilities themselves when their representative, Augustin read and presented to the government of Togo a Memorandum drawing attention to the barriers they experience in education, health, sports and leisure as well as accessibility of infrastructure thus inhibiting their full participation in normal life. Specifically, they made 5 key recommendations that the government of Togo should implement to ensure that they enjoy their human rights without discrimination.
The highlight of the day was by Children with Disabilities themselves when their representative, Augustin read and presented to the government of Togo a Memorandum drawing attention to the barriers they experience in education, health, sports and leisure as well as accessibility of infrastructure thus inhibiting their full participation in normal life. Specifically, they made 5 key recommendations that the government of Togo should implement to ensure that they enjoy their human rights without discrimination.
Downloads
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Memorandum presented by children with disabilities to the decisions makers (English version)
PDF, ~ 12.9kB -
Mémorandum soumis par les enfants handicapés aux autorités togolaises (Version française)
PDF, ~ 929.0kB
