A representative from United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, Luis Clemente, talked about the UN Convention for Children's Rights, while the local prosecutor, Ana Paula, revealed local examples of child abuse. She said, that teachers were among the most common culprits by forcing pupils to have sex.
53 children and 19 teachers participated in the seminar. They came from all over the district and were trained to spread the knowledge about children's rights and to report cases of child abuse to their parents and the authorities.
The seminar culminated, when all the participants took to the streets of Alto Molocue. Each had to explain at least to children's rights to at least two citizens. All over the small town of approximately 13.000 inhabitants people were discussing rights. Many had heard about the right to education and health, while other parts of the convention were less known.
"One of the main themes at the seminar was child labour. Most agreed that children should be allowed to help the parents at home and in the fields as long as it doesn't conflict with their school attendance. We defined child labour as forcing children to do tasks, which may harm their health or development. For example carrying heavy loads of water", explains Lena Vind-Andersen. She's Ibis-advisor at the Children's Radio, which organised the seminar.
In three months time the Children's Radio will arrange a follow up-seminar to assess the impact of the seminar in January and train more activists.
Some of the children of Alto Molocue already seem more confident. A group was reading the Convention of Children's Right, when the editor of Ibis Africa News passed by. They explained that their "favourite right is the right to play". / tgn
