The right to leisure and recreation

Enjoy this long third term holiday. Go and play. Go the library and read a book. Go to museums and enrich your knowledge on the history of the country. Ask your parents to teach you about your culture. Participate in cultural events and activities. It is your right to do these things. According to article 20 of N°54/2011 of 14/12/2011 the law relating to the rights and the protection of the child “A child has the right to access suitable information, right to rest and leisure.” Thanks to digitization, the amount of information on different topics is immeasurable. You can take advantage of the holiday to learn something that is not part of the curriculum. You can even attain a new skill because there are free tutorials of all sorts. But whatever activity you decide to be a part of, make sure that it is appropriate for your age. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child points this out in article 12. First, article 12 says that countries which signed the charter “recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities.” However, these activities have to be appropriate. This means that you cannot go to bars to drink alcohol because it is illegal for children to drink alcohol. And in engaging in play and recreational activities, do not participate in those that are harmful to your health. Article 12 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child also says that a child is free to engage in cultural life and arts. The government is responsible for providing platforms for children to participate in these activities. Not only that, it is expected that equal opportunity will be provided for participation. This means that children with handicaps of whatever form should not be left out. You do not need to wait for specific events that are organized for the promotion of cultural. By going out to participate in activities such as Umuganda, you can interact with people who have knowledge about Rwanda. It is important to note that while you have the right to rest, leisure and recreation, this does not mean that you cannot help out your parents with chores during the holidays. Article 21 of the law relating to the rights and the protection of the child says that you have the obligation of respect and assistance to your parents. Article 21 says, “Depending on his/her understanding level, the child, must respect any human being, especially his/her parents or guardian. He/she shall also help his/her parents or guardian proportionally to his/her capabilities.”

Education

The right to leisure and recreation