Young people from the Children's Parliament of Boké participating in the ceremony.

Plan Guinea has participated in the launch of the Month of the Child 2010, which aims to protect Guinean children during and after the current elections by advocating on the theme: ‘Preventing violence against children during the election period.’

Working in partnership to advocate against violence

The launch took place on the 10th June in Boké, northwest Guinea. It was organised by the Ministry of National Solidarity and the Advancement of Women and Children, in partnership with NGOs and other institutions that have child protection within their remit.

Guinea held its first truly democratic elections during its 50 years of independence on 27th June, and the results are yet to be announced.

Invited children enjoying the ceremony.

The day started in the Governor of Boké’s compound, with a ceremony watched by over a thousand children. The Children’s Parliament of  welcomed the various delegations and then speeches were given.

Children have a right to protection

Plan’s representative said: “Plan could not rest without joining its voice with yours to draw the attention of all those active in national political life to the necessity of assuring child protection and respect for the rights of Guinean children, during the electoral campaign, on election day, and after.

Plan's representative giving his speech.

“We call on everyone in competition to neither exploit children nor expose them to the risk of violence - the right of children to protection being a continual duty in all circumstances […] Any electoral victory that is obtained by violating a child’s right to protection would be a political defeat for the country.”

Snacks for children attending the ceremony

After the speeches, officials had lunch at the Governor’s residence whilst Plan Guinea distributed more than 1300 snacks to the children invited to the ceremony. Each snack included juice, water, a biscuit, a cake and a sweet.

Spare snacks were distributed the next day in 2 schools in Boké – the catholic mission’s primary school and the Babilia nursery.

Hope for the future

Plan’s representative finished by saying: “We nourish the hope that this crucial period will pass peacefully and will lead to the conception of an environment that is more favourable to the realisation of the full potential of our children, in respect of all their rights.”