KIGALI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda on Wednesday joined the global community in marking World Children's Day, with a call to end domestic violence within families, which continues to threaten children's rights.

"Raising a child is an irreplaceable responsibility. To ensure their proper growth and development, we must create an environment where they can thrive and grow into good citizens of our country. We must end domestic violence within our families," said Assumpta Ingabire, director general of the Rwanda National Child Development Agency (NCDA), during celebrations to mark World Children's Day in Kigali, the country's capital.

She highlighted critical issues affecting children, including child stunting and domestic violence, which often force children onto the streets. She also emphasized the importance of responsible parenting in addressing these challenges.

While acknowledging the existence of laws protecting children's rights, Ingabire noted that violations persist. "Today serves as a reminder to be aware of children's rights. While people often talk about these rights, many lack a full understanding of them. For example, we still encounter children whose births are not registered with civil authorities, even though birth registration is an essential administrative step in protecting children's rights."

Ingabire also announced the introduction of new guidelines by the NCDA to strengthen measures aimed at better protecting children's rights.

According to the Fifth Rwanda Population and Housing Census 2022 report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, children under the age of 18 make up 44.5 percent of Rwanda's population.

The World Children's Day, celebrated on Nov. 20 each year, is a global event honoring children and their rights while promoting their welfare, according to the United Nations Children's Fund. It also serves as a day to address issues children face, such as child labor, educational inequality, and inadequate access to healthcare. Enditem

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