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Press statement on the commemoration of the Day of the African Child
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Youth Assembly
June 15, 2011

The MDC Youth Assembly joins the rest of Africa in commemorating the 21st edition of the Day of the African Child. The historic day is reminiscent of the white settler regime's total disregard of children's basic human rights. We remember the 1976 Soweto massacre when children were killed for demanding what was rightfully theirs. We join other African youths and children in demanding our rights and freedoms.

This year, the Day focuses on the plight of the estimated 30 million "street children" across the continent under the theme of "All Together for Urgent Actions in Favor of Street Children". Observance of this Day seeks to contribute to widespread awareness of the dangers street children face, promote the taking of urgent steps to protect them and determine strategies for providing effective child protection and care.

In 1976, thousands of black school children took to the streets of Soweto, South Africa. In a march more than half a mile long, they protested the inferior quality of their education and demanded their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young boys and girls were shot down by security forces. In the two weeks of protest that followed, more than a hundred people were killed and more than a thousand injured.

This year's theme invokes anger and sprit as we look in to circumstances surrounding street children. Our streets in the central business district are packed with miserable children. These children deserve good shelter, and parental care which they cannot get. Some of them wish to be in schools like any other normal children but they are not. Everyone has at least met a street child and the question is what are we doing to help their plight.

This year's theme charges everyone to ensure that action is taken to support street children. It is not pointing a finger on the government neither is it targeting the donor community but it challenges all of us to stand in solidarity with this vulnerable group. They are neglected and no one bother to care on what they eat, where they sleep and how they live. We need to join hands and make lasting contributions to the plight of street children.

There are so many circumstances surrounding their abandoning of homes, some of the problems they encountered can be solved. It is disheartening that most of them have families but were either chased away or opted out due to circumstances such as political, economical and social challenges. Ours is a challenge to the government and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that these children are well taken care of. This winter they are enduring all sorts of challenges ranging from colds and harassment.

These street children end up resorting to illicit activities such as pick pocketing, prostitution and drug dealing to earn a living. some heartless men and women are taking these children forcing them into sexual activities to enhance their businesses. These abuses are happening right under the nose of all relevant stakeholders including security forces. Gone should be the days when street children were not regarded as human beings, they have rights just like anyone else hence they deserve care and support.

Due to poverty a significant number of children are dropping out school. Schools continue to charge prohibitive levies and fees leading to massive dropouts. We all have a duty to fight for free primary education. Rural children are the most affected as drought and poverty forces them out of school. Most of the rural children end up working menial jobs to survive. Other children are forced into marriages because of poverty. All these issues are happening under the full sight of every stakeholder. This year's theme is a call to action to ensure that children's rights are advanced and recognised.

Child headed families are on the rise due to the HIV/AIDS scourge. Children grow without parental love. Society take advantage of their vulnerability to abuse them. They end up turning to the streets to survive abuse from community or relatives who seek to dispossess them of their family property.

As the MDC Youth Assembly we demand that:

• Significant measures are put in place to ensure that children's rights and demands are respected and considered.
• The governments introduce free primary education to afford every child the right and chance to acquire education.
• We all join hands with governments and NGOs to ensure proper shelter, food, security and good health for street children.
• Human rights abuses aimed at children end forthwith.
• Africa unite to take actions aimed at caring and supporting for street children.

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