The world celebrates June 16 every year International Day of the African Child. The event was launched by the Organization of African Unity in 1991.

History of the International Day of the African Child

This day is the anniversary of the demonstration in Soweto (South Africa), when black schoolchildren came out to defend the right to education in their mother tongue and to improve schooling in general. The authorities started shooting at the demonstrators, as a result of which about 600 people died and about 6 thousand were arrested. These events took place exactly on June 16, 1976.

The purpose of the International Day of the African Child

International Day of the African Child aims to draw humanity’s attention to the problems of the living conditions of African children, involve them in the search for solutions to these problems, joint assistance, and protection of minors. Special attention is now being paid to the homeless children of Africa, whose number exceeds 30 million.