What is the Day of the African Child?

The Day of the African Child (DAC) was instituted in 1991 by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU in memory of the 16th June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa. At that time, students marched protesting the poor-quality education they received and demanding to be taught in their languages. During the protest hundreds of school children were killed. The Day of the African Child is celebrated to commemorate these children and the brave action they took to defend their rights. The Day of the African Child also serves to celebrate children of Africa as well as inspire a sober reflection and action towards addressing the challenges that children in Africa face on a daily basis.

The Day of the African Child is celebrated every year on June 16 with a theme identified by the Committee based on children’s views collected from various consultations with children themselves. The Committee also developed Concept Note on the theme of the Day of the African Child to guide the commemoration of the Day in Member States of the African Union.