Universal Children’s Day |20 November 2020

Ambassador Athanasius

‘Investing in our future means investing in our children’

“We need to invest time and resources, care and love, to respect, promote and protect the rights of children, and in so doing we can empower them and bring forth the shining promise that is within each and every one of them.”

Ths comes in a message from Ambassador Erna Athanasius, the chairperson of the National Commission for Child Protection (NCCP) and of the National Council for Children (NCC), on the occasion of the Universal Children’s Day being celebrated today.

Ambassador Athanasius’ message reads:

“As we reflect on this anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, we must recommit to respecting the rights of our children to be heard, to play, to be educated, to be fed, to good health and to grow and develop to be valued members of society, most especially so, during this unprecedented era of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has indisputably impacted on the lives of children everywhere.

“We must be reminded that for a child to develop, the child by necessity and right, requires a minimum of 3 things:

Proper nutrition – Child malnutrition affects both physical and mental development and negatively impacts the future potential of the child;

The ability to communicate – we are social beings and the ability to use language to communicate is determined by the formation of language skills in early childhood;

Emotional stability - A person’s emotional constitution is dependent on the relationship between the child and the care-givers from very early.

“These requirements are basic and non-optional if we seek, and I know we do, to develop viable adults. We need to invest time and resources, care and love, to respect, promote and protect the rights of children, and in so doing we can empower them and bring forth the shining promise that is within each and every one of them.

“We must continue to uphold and defend every right for every child! We must continue to seize every opportunity to raise awareness and educate the public on issues related to children; we must incessantly lobby for our political leaders to strengthen and demonstrate their willingness to support all initiatives that impact directly or indirectly on children’s lives, making available the required resources to facilitate this work and build on our past achievements.

Seychelles has finally achieved the ban on corporal punishment in schools and homes (despite the sad outcry from some groups in society) and this was a major achievement in upholding a child’s right not to be physically punished and abused. This was within the Children (Amendment) Act, 2020.

“The Policy for Regulations for ‘Working with children Suitability Checks’ on persons working with children directly, was approved by Cabinet.

“This year saw the setting up of the High level Committee on Child Abuse which was chaired by the former President, following the abysmal case of online abuse and sexual exploitation of young girls in Seychelles. Also stemming from that, the former Chief Justice was asked to chair a Child Law Reform Committee which was mandated to look at the laws within the Penal code pertaining to children and child abuse. Children’s rights are, after all, HUMAN RIGHTS!

“It must be said, again and again, the Seychelles Government over the past many years since ratification of the CRC, has worked hard to champion children’s rights to education, to health, non-discrimination and identity, protection from violence, exploitation, harmful work, sexual abuse and from trafficking, among many other rights. Children have been encouraged to express their views freely in school and in organised fora like Konekte.zen, which the NCC proudly produced with their partners Global Shapers. Children are stimulated to express their views within the National Youth Assembly under the patronage of the SNYC, and even within the National Assembly as we have heard twice now and we will have a third this year, albeit, not today but next week.

“It is often very much forgotten that listening to what children have to say is not just a ‘nice thing to do’ it is an obligation in every situation we find ourselves in, including in emergency situations like the Covid-19 pandemic. We should not underestimate the energy and the power of a child’s voice. Be reminded that success is not age-related.

Dear Leaders,

“I take this opportunity to call upon everyone to raise awareness about the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children's rights are human rights and I shall never tire of saying this.

“We must push for continued review of legislation as first steps taken need follow up; we must ensure accountability for violation of children's rights; we must identify the marginalized and vulnerable children being excluded from school or other services or need special protection such as children with disabilities; we must abandon policies and practices that are damaging to children such as corporal punishment, police detention, and institutionalization. Ratification of the Convention is important and we have done that, but implementation of the Convention, is even more so!

“Remember, that although addressed to governments, the Convention actually addresses the responsibilities of all members of society. It is our responsibility to protect our children and I believe, the only way to fostering long-term, sustainable and inclusive growth and prosperity for our country.

Dear children of Seychelles,

“In all that we do today and in the years ahead, we shall keep having to remind ourselves, that you are indeed our future. As the theme for this year’s Universal Children’s Day suggests, ‘investing in our future means investing in our children’. That means YOU!

“You are our future leaders, heads of families, role models in society, educators, workers, professionals in varying fields of work, and what we give to you today will be our legacy to our country’s future. “Respecting your special rights under the CRC will ensure that you are able to fulfill your true potential and pass this legacy on to future generations to come. But NEVER forget, that to be all you want to be, you must get an Education. Focus on your studies to prepare yourself for the tomorrow you want. Take aim now and follow your dreams and we will be right behind you to support your aim.

“The 20th November was dubbed Universal Children’s day by the United Nations, and our country also celebrates International Children's Day on the 1st of June, but I believe Children’s day should be celebrated every single day of the year.”

Ambassador (Dr) Erna Hellen Athanasius

Chairperson NCCP, NCC