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I want a Djibouti that puts women first
International Women's Day is a day celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to differences, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political As an empowered Djiboutian young woman living in the 21st century, I reflected on the progress of women’s rights in my country. In all these reflections, I gathered that all I want is a Djibouti that puts women first in all its planning, considers our plight and does not take us as an after- thought. This is the Djibouti I want. In the past five years...
What about children’s rights in this COVID-19 crisis?
We recently celebrated the Day of the African Child on June 16 and being a child parliamentarian, I see this as a big day for all of Africa’s children and more so for the children of Djibouti. Since I am their voice in Parliament I can say we are dismayed by the situation we are going through because of COVID-19, which is worse still for most children who do not have birth certificates We welcome the salutary measures decreed by the political and health authorities to protect us from this misfortune of COVID-19. Nevertheless, the African child in general, and the Djiboutian in particular, find...
Why child protection cannot be forgotten during COVID-19
In just a matter of weeks, the COVID-19 outbreak has already had drastic consequences for children across Djibouti. Their access to education, food, and health services has been dramatically affected all over the country. The impact has been so marked, that the UN Secretary General has urged governments and donors to offset the immediate effects of the COVID-19 crisis on children. In discussions of the pandemic to date, child labour (i.e. forms of work that are harmful to children) has played only a marginal role. Yet, as I describe in this blog, child labour will be an important coping...
International Day of the Girl: Letters from girls in Uganda
A message to the world from Lucky
Zero tolerance to FGM - how youth are making a difference
The fight against FGM in Djibouti has existed for many years. The commitment of the authorities and civil society means that today the rate of girls aged 5-9 who endure excision is 37.7% (PAPFAM 2012). A law prohibiting the practice of female genital mutilation also exists but its application remains difficult, particularly in rural areas. As young people we are in front of a practice deeply rooted in mentalities for generations, and this is where community involvement becomes crucial. It’s not our mothers fight only… Many say that the battle against female genital mutilation is a matter of...
What does the CRC30 mean for children and adolescents in Djibouti?
The Government of Djibouti ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, its two optional protocols in 2011, as well as, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in (2009) all without reservations. The country has thus committed to protect children’s rights and to work towards providing all children with the opportunities to fulfill their rights. Since then Djibouti has made tremendous progress in advancing children’s and women’s rights. The was established in July 1981 and this year it turns 38 years as the Convention on the Rights of Children turns 30 years...