Save the Children in Ethiopia Launches the Every Last Child Campaign

Save the Children in Ethiopia Launches the Every Last Child Campaign

Save the children in Ethiopia launched the Every Last Child Campaign in Jigjiga, Somali Regional State on December 15, 2016. The global objective for the Every Last Child Campaign is that all children learn, are protected, and receive quality health services. 

School children, teachers, representatives of the federal government, representatives of key government Bureaus from the two regional states (Afar and Somali Regions),  parliamentarians, religious leaders, community figures, youth and women associations, international and local NGOs, UN agencies, local and national media and other stakeholders attended the official launch event that was held at Negob Hotel.  The event saw two days of engagement with children, policy makers, and members of the media and representatives of range of civil society organizations across Somali and Afar Regional States.

On December 14, Save the Children organized a policy dialogue on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Participants from the Ministries of Health, Finance and Economic Cooperation, Education and Regional health bureau discussed on core issues relating to children in pastoralists regions with special emphasis on early childhood care and education and newborn health.

Dr Eshetu Bekele, Save the Children’s Director of Research, Uptake and Campaigns, gave a brief presentation on Save the Children’s strategic focus and ambition for 2030. The forum also provided opportunity for government representatives to publicize what their offices are doing to prioritize children’s issues in budgeting, spending and policy development.  The day also saw a media roundtable focusing on Sustainable Development Goals with special highlight on priorities of the Ministries represented at the event. Journalists from the regional state and Addis Ababa took part in the roundtable.

Speaking at the event, Senior Advisor to the President of the Somali Regional State, Abdelfattah Ahmed said “I believe this campaign will contribute largely to the progresses made so far to ensure better future for children.” 

At the official ceremony to launch the campaign on December 15, 30 school children took to the stage to officially make demands on the government to deliver on fair financing, equal treatment and accountability for children.  The Children read out their demands in different languages, making their voice heard at the event. The event concluded with stakeholder representatives promising to deliver on the children’s demands and signing the pledge canvas committing them to those promises. 

The Every Last Child campaign is Save the Children’s latest global campaign that follows on the successful 2009-2015 EveryOne child health campaign. The Every Last Child campaign will continue until 2018.