AFRICA MALARIA DAY
25 April 2004

This year, people across Africa and the world will celebrate Africa Malaria Day on and around 25 April.

The theme for this year's Africa Malaria Day is

and the slogan is

In Africa, malaria is the number-one killer of children: a child dies of malaria every 30 seconds.

But while children, especially those under five, are the main victims of malaria, they have little opportunity to advocate on their own behalf, to demand the right to protection and good health and to voice their needs to those who have it in their power to make a difference — adults, parents and carers, decision-makers and the media.

A Malaria Free Future as the theme for Africa Malaria Day 2004 will focus on children as the future, and provide African children with the opportunity to campaign on their own behalf and help to raise awareness of large numbers of children and adults in malaria-endemic countries through activities in schools, youth clubs, churches and anywhere children congregate. These children will then be engaged at the community, district, regional and urban-centre levels as teachers and advocates for malaria control. With raised awareness will come increased action against malaria paving the way for a malaria-free future.

This year's main Africa Malaria Day event will be held in the Matam region of Senegal, an area that has suffered greatly from malaria and is now intensifying its control efforts. From Friday 23 April to Sunday 25 April, communities throughout the region will participate in various activities (including children's forums, net distribution and retreatment, medical consultations) designed to raise awareness and spur action against malaria, culminating in official ceremonies on Africa Malaria Day itself with the participation of local, national and international dignitaries.

The internationally renowned Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour will give a concert in the region on Saturday 24 April, and a motocross competition will be held on Sunday 25 April. There will also be performances by various artists' troupes in various locations during the weekend.