Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Marylène SeguyThe MONUSCO Child Protection Section, in partnership with the Public Information Division, the Children's Parliament, as well as local NGOs PAMI and GAPE, commemorated the International Day of the African Child on June 16 and 17, 2025 in the cities of Goma and Walikale-centre.This initiative, financially supported by MONUSCO, highlighted the persistent challenges faced by children in the North Kivu region, which is plagued by armed conflict, and reaffirmed the commitment of local and international actors to child protection.Goma: Day of expression for vulnerable childrenOn June 16, at the PAMI day center in the Kyeshero neighborhood, the commemoration brought together 107 children, including 66 girls. Participants in the ceremony included children separated from their families, former children associated with armed forces and groups, children taken off the streets, parents, as well as members of the Community Child Protection Network and local authorities.Following an introductory address by the PAMI coordinator, who recalled the history of the Day of the African Child—established in memory of the schoolchildren massacred in Soweto in 1976—the discussions, moderated by MONUSCO, focused on the fundamental rights of children, including the right to education, the right to life and participation, and protection from violence. The central message focused on the physical and psychological suffering experienced by children in North Kivu, exacerbated by the current security instability.The children took an active part in the discussions and cultural performances. Through poems, drawings, and performances, they expressed their dreams for a future free from violence and called on the international community to transform their region into a safe space conducive to their integral development.Walikale: plea against serious violationsIn Walikale territory, the commemoration was organized with the support of the Child Protection Action Group (GAPE) and PAMI, under the supervision of MONUSCO's Child Protection section. The event brought together 65 participants, including 30 women, from the FARDC, the PNC, administrative authorities, women's associations, as well as representatives of armed youth groups (notably the Wazalendo).The discussions focused on preventing six grave violations of children's rights in conflict, particularly the recruitment and use of child soldiers. Children also contributed to the celebration by performing songs and poems. Participants, including government representatives, pledged to continue awareness-raising efforts to prevent the recruitment of children into armed groups and encourage their return to civilian life.Fighting disinformation: an additional challenge for childrenOn June 17, a second commemoration activity took place at the Zanner Institute in Goma, organized by the Children's Parliament in partnership with MONUSCO. This meeting brought together 42 children and young people from several schools in Goma to discuss the theme "How to combat disinformation during armed conflict in North Kivu?"The President of the Children's Parliament, Diego Amani Kaduku, emphasized the impact of disinformation on young people, stressing that the manipulation of information can lead to abuse, exploitation, and forced recruitment. MONUSCO's Public Information Division reinforced this message by sharing practical tools for verifying information sources, while the Child Protection Section reiterated the fundamental principles in handling sensitive information: security, neutrality, impartiality, and the principle of "do no harm."Partners committed to a sustainable responseOn the occasion of this day, Jean-Marie Negura, project manager of the NGO PAMI, provided a worrying overview of the situation of children in the context of the security and economic crisis in North Kivu. He highlighted the efforts of his organization, supported by MONUSCO and UNICEF, in providing support, family reunification, socio-economic reintegration, and schooling for more than 800 children affected by the conflict."Today, it is no longer enough to talk about children's rights. Children must be involved in the processes of planning, budgeting, and defining their needs within households," he said. He also appealed to parents to report stray children, recalling that punishments such as deprivation of schooling or food are unacceptable forms of abuse.A message of hope despite the challengesThe commemoration of the Day of the African Child in North Kivu highlighted the efforts made by children themselves, local communities, NGOs and the United Nations to ensure the protection of the youngest in a context of repeated violations of children's rights that are regularly flouted.In the face of armed conflict, misinformation, and poverty, the children of North Kivu have demonstrated, through their words and actions, that they are ready to be the actors of their own future. Children's voices have been raised not only to denounce, but also to propose: a North Kivu that is safer, more equitable, and more attentive to the fundamental rights of every child.