Kids take over in Sudan
Over 3,000 children and adolescents from across Khartoum took over as CEOs of leading telecommunication companies, as MTN and Sudatel, schools, the airwaves of key radio stations, the malls and the UNICEF Sudan country office
It was all excitement as over 3,000 children and adolescents from schools, the Children’s Parliament, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) advocates, the Filmmaking for Children Initiative, from across Khartoum took over as CEOs of leading telecommunication companies, as MTN and Sudatel, schools, the airwaves of key radio stations, the malls and the UNICEF Sudan Country Office in the first ever #Kidstakeover #Sudan.
The #WorldChildren’sDay #kidstakeover #Sudan kicked off World Children’s Day on Thursday November 16, 2017 in 373 co-education schools across Khartoum State, under the guidance of the Ministry of Education. The #‘Biggest Lesson’ was documented in three elementary schools Altaieb Basher Model School, Al Taj Private School in Khartoum and Ashoraa Basic School for Girls, Oumdurman. Teachers in the three schools engaged almost 3,000 students, 51% of whom were girls, around the learning package.
Then there was the 5k RUN on 17th November along the banks of the historical Nile River, showcasing messages on handwashing with soap and sanitation. The ‘RUN’ was a public advocacy campaign to address the outbreak of acute watery diarrhea that had affected all eighteen states in Sudan with children being the worst victims. Key influencers, with over 150,000k reach on social media, including TV hosts Mohamed Osman and Alaa ElMubarak, famous Sudanese Poet & Author Sharhabec Ahmed and former captain of the Sudan National Football Team Haiytham Mustafa joined the call to run for better health. A partnership pooled from over fourteen private sector entities comprising mobile companies, banks, soap producers, drinking water producers, advertising and printing companies, including Unilever, El Teital, MTN, Sudatel, Appetize, New Life Printing, Araak Group, Haggar Group, Faisal Bank and Bank of Khartoum participated.
Amidst the pulsating atmosphere, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, UN agencies, Sudan Female Cyclists, the Cycling Association, Sudan Marshal Arts, the Disability Association and key influencers including UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador, Nancy Ajaj, joined the ‘RUN’ to save the lives of children. Symbolically epitomizing the message with a giant soap and tub, the ‘RUN’ was climaxed with a mass handwashing with soap session by both participants and observers.
On November 20, some sixty kids took over the UNICEF Sudan Country Office in Khartoum. The children, including children in school and out of school, children with disabilities, and displaced and refugee children, took over as the Representative and Heads of Sections, engaging with staff and other children on the work of UNICEF and the rights of children. The Children were excited about ‘School in a Box’ and the ‘Integrated Maternal and Child Health Kits’ which provide lifesaving support to children, especially in emergencies.
I got to take over the UNICEF Office, participated in meetings with staff and learnt a lot from Mr. Abdullah about my rights as a child. It was a great experience!
Ten years old Mohamed Malik as CEO of MTNSudan, met with a cross section of staff, emphasizing the need for investments in education and addressing the needs of street children, as a priority for Corporate Social responsibility. Malik also attended and addressed an Environmental Forum with key partners from the business community.
The airwaves of three key radio stations: Radio Al Raaba 94FM, Vision 101.3FM & Capital Radio, with a reach of over 175k on Facebook and some 20 million listeners within Khartoum and greater Khartoum State, North Kordofan, El Gezira and Red Sea states, were taken over by children as anchors, announcers and DJs. Children also Co-hosted a Press Conference with the Secretary General of the National Council for Child Welfare. Their messages were clear, recognizing the progress made including the passage of the Child Rights Act in 2010. They made a strong call for the accelerated and full implementation of the Act to ensure that the rights and well-being of children are guaranteed to enable them maximize and fulfill their potential. There was also a call for investments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially for quality health and education, as well as the protection of every child from violence, exploitation and abuse. This was indeed a day for children, by children.
During the week of November 26, children also took over as film directors, actors, camera crew, editors and script writers, producing films on key themes such as ‘Girls’ Education’, ‘Child Marriage’, ‘Children affected by Conflict’, ‘Domestic Violence’ and ‘Child Labour’ amongst others.
In the Eastern State of Kassala, children ‘tookover’ Parliamentary proceedings with the election of a new head of the Children’s Parliament and Parliamentary committees calling for greater partnership and engagement on issues that affect their well-being and the future of Sudan. Madame Souad Abdalal Eltahir Secretary General of the National Council for Child Welfare in Sudan called for stronger partnership and increased investment in capacity building, especially in leadership and advocacy.
The World Children’s Day served as an important segue to the Sixteen Days of Activism calling for a Sudan Free of FGM/C with public declarations of abandonment of the practice, a launch of the National Guide for Psychosocial Support for Children and Adolescents in Emergency, launching of the Alliance for the Abandonment of Child Marriage on 11th December.
