Alongside UNICEF, Aliou Cissé, coach of the Senegalese football team meets children in eastern and southern Senegal

TAMBACOUNDA (Senegal), 6 February 2023 –  While we are celebrating the anniversary of Senegal's epic victory in the African Cup of Nations (CAN), Aliou Cissé, coach of the Senegalese football team, Les Lions de la Téranga  emphasises his commitment to children's rights, along with UNICEF in Senegal.

From February 7 to 10, 2023, Aliou Cissé is carrying out a field visit to the regions of Tambacounda, Kolda and Ziguinchor, to see firsthand the reality of children, interact with the communities and appreciate on-going interventions implemented by various actors on the ground.

"The issue of children's rights is close to my heart. Every child deserves a good start in life. Count on me to raise the voice of children and lead advocacy on their behalf," said Aliou Cissé, on his arrival in Tambacounda.

He will have a series of meetings with key regional actors, interactions with communities, young people and children and discuss issues related to children's rights to education, health, protection and participation.

This mission will help draw attention to the challenges facing children, highlight actors' response and mobilize support for the most vulnerable children and adolescents in the country.

Aliou Cissé will thus have the opportunity to visit schools and discover the catch-up classes which allow reintegration of out-of-school children, health centers and newborns' care facilities, youth-led initiatives or those aimed at expanding their employability opportunities. He will also meet young girls' clubs whose objective is to promote girls' rights, discover local initiatives aimed at putting an end to violence against children and harmful practices, and even visit champion villages in hygiene and sanitation.

"Having an ally like Aliou Cissé is a real privilege for the children of Senegal and for UNICEF. He represents for us a real child rights advocate. His notoriety and his voice can help us send a powerful message that will reach the hearts and minds across the country and mobilize more support for children," said Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Senegal.