All protocols observed, salutations by the child-focused Civil Society Organizations across the five regions in Africa, forming the Civil Society Organizations Forum to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
We are delighted to be part of the celebrations commemorating the Day of the African Child, under the theme, of the rights of the child in the digital environment. We are also elated to have children from across the regions present here as well. We thank the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child for its continuous efforts in ensuring the representation of children on such eventful occasions.
We are also grateful to have been part of the two-day training with children, preceding this event. Children got the opportunity to learn and exchange their rights, both online and offline, as envisioned in the African Children’s Charter and other relevant policies and laws.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in recognizing the importance of safeguarding the rights of African children in the digital realm. Governments, civil society organizations, and continental and international bodies across Africa have taken notable strides in acknowledging the unique challenges and risks faced by our children in the digital environment.
We have witnessed advancements in legislation and policy frameworks within African countries, aimed at protecting children online. There is continuous advocacy to criminalize online child exploitation, cyberbullying, and other forms of digital abuse, ensuring the safety and well-being of African children in the digital space.
Civil society organizations continue to play a crucial role in advocating for children’s rights in the digital environment. Through awareness campaigns, capacity-building programs, and community engagement, they have amplified the voices of African children, addressing the specific challenges they face and fostering a sense of digital citizenship within our diverse African societies.
While we acknowledge these significant gains, we must also recognize that there is still much work to be done. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, new challenges emerge, requiring us to adapt and respond effectively within the African context. We believe that some of these challenges and proposed solutions will come out in our deliberations.
We would also like to highlight and appreciate the importance of child participation in shaping the digital landscape. The active involvement of children in decision-making processes is vital to ensure that their rights, needs, and perspectives are effectively represented.
With this, we commend all the stakeholders that played a role in ensuring that children were engaged and are actively involved in today’s celebrations. We recognize the effort and significant progress in recognizing children as experts in their own lives and acknowledging their agency in the digital realm.
While we acknowledge these significant gains, we must also recognize that there is still much work to be done. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, new challenges emerge, requiring us to adapt and respond effectively within the African context.
Particularly, there is a need to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable African children have equal access to digital opportunities. Bridging the digital divide within the African continent is crucial to prevent further disparities and enable every African child to benefit from the positive aspects of the digital world, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.
As technology advances, we must continue to advocate for robust and updated legal frameworks within African countries that effectively address emerging challenges. This includes strengthening regional cooperation and collaboration to combat cross-border crimes, protect African children from online threats, and uphold their rights within the African digital landscape.
In conclusion, today is a momentous occasion for us to celebrate the gains made in advocating for the rights of African children in the digital environment while recognizing room for improvement. The progress we have achieved is a testament to our collective commitment and dedication as Africans. Together, let us seize the opportunities before us, working hand in hand to ensure the protection and empowerment of every African child in the digital space.