By Doh James Sonkey
Cameroonian children last November 20, 2024 joined their peers round the globe to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the Rights of the child.
The Patriots Monument in Yaounde was on that occasion turned into blue as children, officials of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF were all dressed in blue while the lighting systems of the Yaounde Urban Council on the spot was transformed into blue.
UNICEF Cameroon Resident Representative, Nadine Perrault told reporters that “November 20 each year is considered as International Children’s Day, that is, the day the Convention was adopted. This Convention was ratified by many countries including Cameroon, so the blue besides being the colour of the United Nations and UNICEF represents peace, tranquility and serenity and this is our wish for children in Cameroon.”
distributing playing tools to children
Nadine Perrault added that “all the actors, government, families and teachers recognise that children are human beings and they deserve that all their rights be respected to have access to school, to have access to health care, to be registered at birth and to live in a family environment free of all forms of violence. And this is the general wish for children as they observe this day.”
The UNICEF Country representative said “this year is very different as it is 35 years, you can imagine! When a child was born 35 years ago, he or she is now 35 years old and we need to ask ourselves the question whether he or she had the rights that he or she deserves in Cameroon”.
The celebration was chaired at the Patriot Monument in Yaounde by the Resident Representative of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, Nadine Perrault.
Note that one of the most notable initiatives associated with World Children’s Day is the “Turn the World Blue” campaign, organised by UNICEF. This initiative involves illuminating iconic monuments around the world in blue to symbolise support for children’s rights and raise awareness about the challenges they face.
In Cameroon, the Reunification Monument in Yaoundé, the New Liberty Monument at the Deido Roundabout in Douala, the Bamoun Kings’ Palace in Foumban, and the Roumdé Adja Stadium in Garoua were illuminated in blue.
These illuminations serve as a powerful visual reminder of the importance of defending children’s rights and ensuring that every child has access to education, healthcare, and protection from abuse.
The illumination of the “I Love My Country Cameroon” Monument in blue is a powerful symbolic gesture that can inspire concrete actions to improve the lives of children in Cameroon and promote their rights in a meaningful way.