The Parliament of Sierra Leone, in partnership with UNICEF, marked World Children’s Day in a significant event held at Committee Room One in the Parliament Building. The commemoration, under the theme “My day, my right,” aimed to amplify awareness of children’s rights across the nation.
The day’s proceedings began with statements from the Speaker and Leadership of Parliament within the main chamber, setting the tone for the national observance.
During the main event, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legislative Services, Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh, commended the organizers. He reminded attendees that lawmaking, representation, and oversight are the core functions of Parliament and detailed the legislature’s tireless efforts, including enacting laws for the protection of children and women.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Aminata Sannoh, re-emphasized the government’s steadfast commitment to protecting children.
A representative from UNICEF, Rudolf Schwenk, stated that children’s rights must be protected and that children should not face discrimination. He clarified that these are not privileges but fundamental rights. Schwenk called for the allocation of sufficient resources to address children’s concerns globally and reaffirmed UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to protecting child welfare.
The ceremony featured powerful contributions from children themselves. Wally Bangura, a child from Kambia District, highlighted the day’s significance as a time to reflect on the rights and protection of children worldwide. She noted that children possess unique characteristics and that if given the chance, they can help create a better society. Bangura also pointed to practical challenges, stating, “Some children cannot go to school because of distance or crowded classrooms,” and ended by asking for more support to ensure children are always protected.
Joseph Lebby, a child from Bo District, called on Parliament to establish a parliamentary children’s caucus to ensure children’s voices are heard. He further urged Parliament to find ways to ensure greater accountability so that resources meant for children are utilized judiciously.
In a subsequent question and comment session, legislators highlighted the importance of protecting children, referencing Parliament’s commitment through the enactment of progressive legislation such as the Child Rights Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
The programme was moderated by Sulaiman Bah, Principal Public Relations Officer, who also highlighted the significance of the day’s events.
