Children’s voices take centre stage during Guinea-Bissau’s Children’s Fortnight
A nationwide celebration highlighting children’s rights, participation and well-being across Guinea-Bissau.
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Children from across Guinea-Bissau came together in June 2026 to celebrate International Children’s Day and participate in the inaugural Children’s Fortnight, a nationwide initiative designed to uplift children’s rights, participation and well-being and place children at the centre of the country’s development and future.
“Sexual violence, child, early and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM) continue to be major concerns for the Government and international partners, requiring coordinated and sustained responses,” said Edineusa Lopes José da Cruz Figueiredo, President of the Institute for Women and Children (IMC).
Launched on 1 June in Canchungo, Cacheu Region, the initiative brought together the Ministry of Women and Social Solidarity through the Institute for Women and Children (IMC), UNICEF, Plan International Guinea-Bissau, SOS Children’s Villages, Project to Support the Protection of Child Victims of Rights Violations (PAPEV), with support from the Regional Office for West Africa of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and other partners. United by shared by a shared commitment these stakeholders joined forces to advance the rights and well-being of every child in Guinea Bissau.
Celebrated under the theme “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All Children in Africa,” the event underscored the critical role of safe water, sanitation and hygiene services in safeguarding children’s health, enhancing learning outcome and upholding their dignity. Children engaged in dialogue sessions with decision-makers and participated in drawing, poetry, theatre and dance competitions, providing meaningful opportunities for self-expression, creativity and civic participation.
“Together, we all share the responsibility of ensuring that children’s rights are realised for every child, in every region of Guinea-Bissau,” said Inoussa Kabore, UNICEF’s Representative in Guinea-Bissau.
The initiative also drew attention to the persistent challenges many children continue to face across the country. Despite notable progress in education, health and child protection, nearly one-third of children aged 5–17 remain engaged in child labour, only 46 per cent of children under five have their births registered, and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation continue to undermine the rights and well-being of children, particularly, girls.
A key milestone of the Children’s Fortnight was the National Children’s Parliament Session, held from 12–14 June 2026, which brought together child delegates from across the country to deliberate on issues affecting children and present their recommendations to decision-makers. The session served as a powerful platform for children to exercise their rights to participate in public affairs and contribute meaningfully to discussions on policies and programmes affecting their lives.
“The mission of the National Children’s Parliament is to bring children’s concerns and aspirations to the attention of decision-makers, so that issues affecting children receive the attention they deserve,” said the President of the National Children’s Parliament, Micoli Ca.
The importance of partnership and community engagement was also a central theme throughout the initiative. Through PAPEV, implemented by OHCHR in close collaboration with national institutions and civil society organizations, significant efforts are being made to strengthening Guinea Bissau child protection system. These efforts focus on reinforcing institutional capacities, promoting meaningful children's participation, supporting family reintegration and improving access to coordinated protection services for children affected by violence, abuse and other violations of their rights.
Protecting children requires strong institutions, coordinated action and, above all, meaningful participation by children themselves. Through PAPEV, we are committed to supporting national efforts to build a child protection system where every child is heard, protected and able to access the services they need to realise their rights,” said the PAPEV National Coordinator, Ms. Aimuna Sanca Sane Nancassa.
By fostering opportunities for the participation of about 500 children, dialogue and collective action, the Children’s Fortnight showcased the power of collaboration between government institutions, civil society organisations and development partners. The initiative reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that every child in Guinea-Bissau can survive, thrive, learn, be protected from harm and reach their full potential.
