The year 2000 saw the institution of the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse; a day to be commemorated every 19thday of the month of November. The day is commemorated in synergy with
the anniversary of the International Day for the Rights of the Child on 20 November. Its objective is to make it a rallying point around the issue of child abuse and the need for urgent effective prevention programmes.
In 2011, the World Day was extended into“19 Days of Activism for Prevention of Abuse and Violence Against Children and Youth annual campaign” from 1 to 19 November.
19 Days of Activism
‘The 19 Days Campaign’ is a Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) initiative launched in 2011 by the Children-Youth Section and sponsored by the WWSF and other partners.
The campaign days are marked by relevant events and activities to focus on and increase prevention education. Thus, Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) which among its mandates is to protect and promote the rights of children, has lined up a lot of events and activities as part of the 19 days activism.
What is on YONECO’s Schedule?
According to YONECO’s Media Networking and Advocacy Officer, Charles Banda,the organization will among other activities and events; dedicate special radio programmes for child abuse prevention, conduct community Theatre for Development (TfD) activities on abuse and violence as well as broadcasting text messages on prevention of child abuse.
YONECO’s Quest for Child Rights and Prevention of Abuse
YONECO is a member of Parenting in Africa Network (PAN) which strengthens families across the African continent in anticipation of an Africa where children are empowered to reach their full potential and it leads the Malawi country chapter.
On top of this, YONECO initiated a major child protection programme to address cases of child abuse across Malawi.Tithandizane Helpline is a toll free number whereby issues pertaining to child abuse like rape, child neglect and child labour are reported. The organisation has full time staff specially assigned to answer phone calls and provide assistance as well as making necessary referrals.
‘Success will be when every child in the world has access to a service like Childline and knows that someone who cares is just a phone call away’- Jeroo Billimoria.
