The Ministry of Family, Women, Children and the Elderly urged African countries to boost cooperation and coordination so as to consolidate joint action, solidarity and complementarity, the ultimate purpose being to protect the rights of children in Africa and mobilise means to promote the situation of children in the continent.
In a statement on International Day of the African Child (June 16), the ministry reiterated firm commitment to promote the rights of children under the provisions of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child which brings four major principles under sportlight, namely non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, the right to live, survive and develop, and respect for children's opinions.
The Ministry emphasised the importance of this day placed this year under the theme of " Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment" as it is a regional event meant to promote the rights of African children knowing that there will be one billion African children by 2050.
Children's rights in the digital space are constantly evolving, considering the use of digital technologies in most areas (education, health, leisure...).
The department warned against risks posed by Internet, including cyberbullying, cybercrime, cyber addiction, visiting inappropriate websites and exposure to violent or hateful content and scams.
The statement put emphasis on the need to raise awareness about these challenges which hinder children's safe access to the digital environment and limit their opportunities to tap into digitisation.
Light was shed on the national plan for the protection of children against violence in the digital environment.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse