Cultural identity, another child's right often downplayed

When we talk about children’s rights, we often refer to the various forms of violence that children experience in their immediate surroundings. However, there is another children’s right that is often overlooked both in schools and within families: the right to cultural identity.

It is in this context that Nelly Lubuma, a promoter of the Bénie Christian School in Yolo-Nord, Kinshasa, highlighted this other children’s right that is often downplayed.

This took place during a series of activities organized last Friday to celebrate International Children’s Rights Day. According to Nelly Lubuma, cultural identity begins with teaching children the national languages.

“We are Congolese and we will remain so. As such, we have our languages. Language is part of a people’s identity. That is why, during the activities, you heard the children singing in Tshiluba, Kikongo, Lingala, and Swahili. For us, this is about respecting the child’s right to identity,” she said.

Another aspect of cultural identity, she continued, is food. Children must taste and enjoy the delicious traditional dishes of their cultural heritage.

“Eating everything that is eaten in one’s tribe of origin is also part of a child’s right to identity. This right is no longer respected today. We don’t talk about it. We are forced to be someone other than ourselves. That is why we decided to raise awareness among different segments of the population about this inalienable right of children,” she explained.

As a reminder, International Children’s Rights Day is celebrated on November 20 each year. This celebration focuses on promoting children’s rights to ensure they are respected.

Bruno NSAKA