HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ENGAGED SCHOOLS
Commissioners and Staff of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) yesterday engaged pupils in selected schools across the country to educate them on their rights and responsibilities;why commemorating the Day of the African Child – June 16; the level of implementation of laws related to the welfare of the child as well as the functions of the Commission.
A total of eight (8) secondary and primary schools were visited in Freetown with three each in the Western Rural, North, North-West, East and Southern provinces respectively.
These engagements were meant to promote respect for human rights through the commission’s public awareness and education programmes and to promote responsibility of every child in the maintenance of rights.
During one of the engagements at the Tabernacle Primary School, pupils were informed that the day is being commemorated across the continent to raise awareness among governments and relevant stakeholders on the need to give their children quality education. At another school, the pupils were told to raise the flag on harassment, sexual abuse, early marriage and Female Genital Mutilation in their communities and schools.
At the United Muslim Association Secondary School (UMASS), the pupils were informed about the establishment of the Commission which was through an act of Parliament in 2004 and was a recommendation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
At St. Helena School Secondary School like all the other schools, the pupils were informed on the historical background on the Day of the African Child and how it has affected the lives of children all over Africa and Sierra Leone in particular.
This year’s celebration was on the theme “30 Years after the adoption of the Charter: Accelerate Implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for Children”.Commissioners and Staff at the various schools spoke on the aspirations of the Agenda 2040 and spoke further on the localized theme “14 years pekin law how e tan lek”. This led to discussion on the actions taken by the Government of Sierra Leone in the enactment and enforcement of laws that protect the rights of the child which includes,The Child Right Act, Education Act, Sexual Offences (amendment) Act, Persons with Disability Act and the Hands of our Girls Campaign.
