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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

When is International Day of the African Child in 2024?

International Day of the African Child in 2024 is on the Sunday, 16th of Jun (6/16/2024).

International Day of the African Child is on the 168th day of 2024. There are 198 days left in the year.

International Day of the African Child Facts

  • Date: Jun 16, 2024
  • International
  • Also Called: International Day of the African Child
  • Celebrations: Celebrate this day by creating awareness about the education system
International Day of the African Child iImage Credit: Flickr

Approximately half of the African population is made of children below the age of eighteen. Sadly, the majority of these children do not acquire early childhood development they need. They do not get basic education since most of them drop out of school before the age of ten. A large percentage also lacks enough food, shelter, and even clothing.

International Day of the African Child, which is observed every year on June 16th, was created to address these issues.

History of International Day of the African Child

Since 1991, the holiday has been observed across Africa and other countries that support the initiative. This day has its origin in Soweto, South Africa back on June 16th, 1976, when more than 10,000 black children marched protesting the poor quality of education in their country. The children walked in a column for more than a mile as they also demanded to be taught in their own language that they could easily understand.

Hundreds of students were massacred during the protests, and thousands more were injured.

Pictures of the incident were released worldwide and many organizations protested against the killings and the inequality in the apartheid regime. Many nations started commemorating that fateful day every year in honor of the victims.

However, it was not until June 1991 that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) designated June 16th as a day to honor those who participated and lost their lives in the Soweto uprising. The day was given the name International Day of the African Child to raise awareness of the need to improve the quality of education in the African schools.

Today, UNICEF marks this day by choosing a unique theme every year that aims at spreading awareness of how the African child can be empowered.

Why Celebrate The International Day Of The African Child?

International Day of the African Child aims at promoting children’s rights across all African countries. Observing this day is a constant reminder to governments, NGOs and other stakeholders of the challenges faced by the African child and the empowerment they should be granted.

Through these celebrations, there has been a significant improvement in the education sector of different African countries. For instance, most sub-Saharan countries offer free primary educations to all children in public schools. Other nations like Kenya and Seychelles have rolled up programs to provide laptop computers to primary school students.

Investing in children's education is vital in creating and sustaining broad-based economic growth. Experiences in childhood hugely contribute to the adults the kids will turn into. Failure to positively contribute to our children today in areas of education, nutrition and health will negatively impact on the economy of future generations.

How to Celebrate the International Day of the African Child?

You can celebrate this day by creating awareness about the education system in Africa. The easiest way to do this is by sharing your views via social media using the hashtag #educationforAfrica, #InternationalDayOfTheAfricanChild.

It is also an excellent time to celebrate other organizations that work towards the betterment of education for the African child. Such include the World Bank, volunteers, and education related NGOs. You can also volunteer to hold talks in school and address the many issues that young children and their parents face. From child marriages, drug abuse, school dropouts, child labor, bullying, and child prostitution.

Today’s African child needs role models and mentors in all areas of their development. So, work hard towards being a constructive individual that children can look up to.

Worrying International Day of the African Child Facts

- One in every six children born in Sub-Saharan Africa dies before their fifth birthday

- Thirty million of the global children who are out of school come from Sub-Saharan Africa

- Of all the world people who have no access to safe water, 40% of them live in Africa

- A considerable number of children suffer from stunted growth due to the challenges of malnutrition.

International Day of the African Child Observances

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of International in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
MondayMonJan 01, 2024Jan 01Global Family Day
ThursdayThuJan 04, 2024Jan 04World Braille Day
ThursdayThuJan 11, 2024Jan 11International Thank-You Day
TuesdayTueJan 30, 2024Jan 30World Leprosy Day
MondayMonFeb 12, 2024Feb 12Darwin Day
WednesdayWedFeb 21, 2024Feb 21International Mother Language Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22World Thinking Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01International Day of the Seal
FridayFriMar 08, 2024Mar 08International Women's Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20World Frog Day
ThursdayThuMar 21, 2024Mar 21World Down Syndrome Day
FridayFriMar 22, 2024Mar 22World Water Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23World Meteorological Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23Earth Hour
SundaySunMar 24, 2024Mar 24World TB Day
TuesdayTueApr 02, 2024Apr 02International Children's Book Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07World Health Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12Yuri's Night
TuesdayTueApr 16, 2024Apr 16International Special Librarians Day
SundaySunApr 21, 2024Apr 21International Creativity and Innovation Day
MondayMonApr 22, 2024Apr 22Earth Day
TuesdayTueApr 23, 2024Apr 23World Book Day
ThursdayThuApr 25, 2024Apr 25World Penguin Day
ThursdayThuApr 25, 2024Apr 25World Malaria Day
FridayFriMay 03, 2024May 03World Press Freedom Day
SundaySunMay 05, 2024May 05International Midwives Day
WednesdayWedMay 08, 2024May 08World Red Cross Day
FridayFriMay 10, 2024May 10World Lupus Day
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12International Nurses Day
MondayMonMay 13, 2024May 13IEEE Global Engineering Day
WednesdayWedMay 15, 2024May 15International Day of Families
FridayFriMay 17, 2024May 17World Hypertension Day
SaturdaySatMay 18, 2024May 18International Museum Day
TuesdayTueMay 21, 2024May 21World Day for Cultural Diversity
WednesdayWedMay 22, 2024May 22International Day for Biological Diversity
ThursdayThuMay 23, 2024May 23World Turtle Day
FridayFriMay 24, 2024May 24World Schizophrenia Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25Towel Day
FridayFriMay 31, 2024May 31World No-Tobacco Day
SaturdaySatJun 01, 2024Jun 01World Milk Day
MondayMonJun 03, 2024Jun 03World Bicycle Day
WednesdayWedJun 05, 2024Jun 05World Environment Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08World Ocean Day
FridayFriJun 14, 2024Jun 14World Blood Donor Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16International Day of the African Child
MondayMonJun 17, 2024Jun 17World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought
ThursdayThuJun 20, 2024Jun 20World Refugee Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21International Yoga Day
WednesdayWedJun 26, 2024Jun 26International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking
ThursdayThuJul 11, 2024Jul 11World Population Day
TuesdayTueJul 16, 2024Jul 16World Snake Day
SundaySunJul 28, 2024Jul 28World Hepatitis Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04International Friendship Day
ThursdayThuAug 08, 2024Aug 08Universal & International Infinity Day
FridayFriAug 09, 2024Aug 09International Day of the World's Indigenous People
SaturdaySatAug 10, 2024Aug 10International Biodiesel Day
MondayMonAug 12, 2024Aug 12International Youth Day
TuesdayTueAug 13, 2024Aug 13International Lefthanders Day
WednesdayWedAug 14, 2024Aug 14World Lizard Day
FridayFriAug 23, 2024Aug 23International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade & its Abolition
SundaySunSep 08, 2024Sep 08International Literacy Day
FridayFriSep 13, 2024Sep 13International Chocolate Day
SundaySunSep 15, 2024Sep 15Software Freedom Day
SundaySunSep 15, 2024Sep 15International Day of Democracy
MondayMonSep 16, 2024Sep 16International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
ThursdayThuSep 19, 2024Sep 19Talk Like a Pirate Day
SaturdaySatSep 21, 2024Sep 21World Gratitude Day
SundaySunSep 22, 2024Sep 22World Car-Free Day
SundaySunSep 29, 2024Sep 29World Heart Day
SundaySunSep 29, 2024Sep 29Inventors Day
TuesdayTueOct 01, 2024Oct 01World Ballet Day
TuesdayTueOct 01, 2024Oct 01International Music Day
WednesdayWedOct 02, 2024Oct 02World Farm Animals Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03World Temperance Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04World Animal Day
SaturdaySatOct 05, 2024Oct 05World Teacher's Day
ThursdayThuOct 10, 2024Oct 10World Mental Health Day
WednesdayWedOct 16, 2024Oct 16World Food Day
ThursdayThuOct 17, 2024Oct 17International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
ThursdayThuOct 24, 2024Oct 24United Nations Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29International Internet Day
FridayFriNov 08, 2024Nov 08World Town Planning Day
ThursdayThuNov 14, 2024Nov 14World Diabetes Day
SaturdaySatNov 16, 2024Nov 16International Day for Tolerance
TuesdayTueNov 19, 2024Nov 19World Toilet Day
ThursdayThuNov 21, 2024Nov 21World Television Day
MondayMonNov 25, 2024Nov 25International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
SaturdaySatNov 30, 2024Nov 30International Computer Security Day
SundaySunDec 01, 2024Dec 01World Aids Day
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
ThursdayThuDec 05, 2024Dec 05International Volunteers Day
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07International Civil Aviation Day
TuesdayTueDec 10, 2024Dec 10Human Rights Day

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
FridayFriJan 12, 2024Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
FridayFriJan 19, 2024Jan 19National Popcorn Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02National Wear Red Day
WednesdayWedFeb 07, 2024Feb 07National Signing Day
FridayFriFeb 09, 2024Feb 09National Pizza Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 14, 2024Feb 14Valentine's Day
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15National Bagel Day
SundaySunFeb 18, 2024Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22National Margarita Day
ThursdayThuFeb 29, 2024Feb 29Leap Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01National Employee Appreciation Day
ThursdayThuMar 07, 2024Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 10, 2024Mar 10Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11National Napping Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Walkout Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Pi Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20National Proposal Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23National Puppy Day
SaturdaySatMar 30, 2024Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 03, 2024Apr 03National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 04, 2024Apr 04National Burrito Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07National Beer Day
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11National Pet Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 02, 2024May 02National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12Mother's Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Towel Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 07, 2024Jun 07National Donut Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Father's Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21National Selfie Day
SaturdaySatJun 22, 2024Jun 22National Kissing Day
SaturdaySatJul 13, 2024Jul 13National French Fry Day
SundaySunJul 14, 2024Jul 14National Nude Day
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21National Ice Cream Day
TuesdayTueJul 23, 2024Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
WednesdayWedJul 24, 2024Jul 24National Tequila Day
MondayMonJul 29, 2024Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
ThursdayThuAug 01, 2024Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04National Sister Day
WednesdayWedSep 18, 2024Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Vodka Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Taco Day
WednesdayWedOct 09, 2024Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 19, 2024Oct 19Sweetest Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29National Cat Day
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Halloween
SundaySunNov 03, 2024Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 29, 2024Nov 29Black Friday
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07Candle Day
MondayMonDec 09, 2024Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 20, 2024Dec 20National Ugly Sweater day