Together we say no to Stigmatisation of Children in street situations on World Children’s Day
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On 20th November, International Children’s Day was celebrated around the world. This day celebrates the historic adoption, on 20th November 1989, of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), an opportunity to reaffirm that children have specific rights, including those in street situations. In 2024, we also commemorate the 35th anniversary of this historic Convention and the centenary of the Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child.
Non – discrimination is one of the general principles of the Convention. These rights are rarely granted to children in street situations. Facing daily stigmatisation that reinforces their social exclusion and deprives them of their fundamental rights, these children remain among the most vulnerable. This is why, this year, the Fondation Apprentis d’Auteuil International (FAAI), alongside several of its local partners has chosen to focus its campaign for the 20th November on the theme No stigmatisation of children in street situations.
This collaborative campaign was an opportunity for the FAAI and its local partners to work together to develop common messages and spread them around the world. Despite the different national contexts, the problems encountered are similar.
In many countries, children in street situations are stigmatised by the society. They are seen as with criminals, thieves or held responsible for their own situations. This prejudice reinforces their social exclusion and leads to violations of their rights, such as unequal access to schools and/or hospitals. And yet, above all, they remain ordinary children, victims of system that fails to protect them.
In addition to our campaign, our partners usually celebrate this day with children at several events. Here is an overview of the celebrations organised by our partners in honour of this International Day.
In Madagascar, the Plateforme de la Société Civile pour l’Enfance (PFSCE)
Every year, our local partner of the PFSCE celebrates the 20th of November with the children supported by members of its network. This year, the PFSCE organised several activities around the theme “No stigmatisation” for the World Children’s Day. Each activity highlighted the participation of children, such as a press conference or various TV programmes inviting children to express their views on crucial issues and the improvements needed to improve their living conditions.
On the 20 November, a large carnival was organised around the theme, with some of the children from the PFSCE showcasing artistic performances and some speaking up to the public. Finally, there was a round table discussion with the Children’s Committee, giving them the opportunity to express their views on their various rights and defend their ideas on subjects such as the right to education and child protection.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Vivre et Travailler Autrement (VTA)
In Kinshasa, one of our partners, VTA organised awareness-raising activities for the public, followed by a community dialogue involving young people, children and political authorities on the theme of “No stigmatisation of children in street situations”. Numerous testimonies were collected to produce an awareness-raising video for children in street situations.
These young people walked to the town hall to talk to key stakeholders about the issues they face in street situations. To conclude, competitions on children’s rights and the fight against stigmatisation were organised.
“They need our love, affection and support”.
A young girl from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Cameroon, Foyer de l’Espérance
In the city of Yaoundé, 130 children and adolescents supported by the Foyer de l’Espérance, their educators and many children in street situations, accompanied by authorities from the Ministry of Social Affairs and several lawyers took part in a march under the slogan “No stigmatisation of children in street situations”. Numerous awareness-raising campaigns were conducted in Yaoundé, including television broadcasts, to encourage school officials and individuals to take part in the march. Other activities were also organised, including round tables, theatre performances on children’s rights, as well as sport and cultural activities.
In Congo, Réseau des Intervenants sur le Phénomène des Enfants en Rupture (REIPER)
In the Republic of Congo, our local partner REIPER organised a children’s rights festival.For two days, children, families and civil society players came together to celebrate and promote children’s rights though shows, creative workshops, educational games and interactive discussions. A discussion forum was organised around children’s rights and actions to protect them, as well as a show on the fight against the stigmatisation of children in street situations.
In Mali, Action Enfant de Tous (AET Ségou)
In Mali, on the eve of 20th November, the children supported by AET Ségou, our local partner, hosted a radio programme on the theme of stigmatisation, an open discussion on the difficulties encountered by children daily. Afterwards, they put up posters entitled “No stigmatisation of children in street situations” in some partner reception centres, the town hall, some public squares, police stations and in the regional directorate for children and the family. 20th November was marked by a round table discussion with children from the two centres and educators, who debated on the theme of No stigmatisation accompanied by activities and games. The following day, an awareness-raising walk was organised around the same theme.
Children are the future of our society, and the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child must be respected and guaranteed for all children, regardless of their living conditions or situation.