Article 38 – Protection from War and Armed Conflict – Promoting Anti-Violence through Music & Art
Governments must do everything they can to protect and care for children and youth affected by war. Protracted violence and war-fare has affected communities in the Casamance region. Many lives were lost and thousands of people were displaced and became refugees. The conflict had an adverse effect on the region economically which has meant a rise in unemployment levels with many youth migrating to bigger cities such as Dakar in search of a better way of life and more opportunities.
Numerous young men from the Casamance region fled their communities due to the protracted war and conflict. Nevertheless, men like Jojo, a musician, activist and member of Sister Fa’s hip hop band have returned to the region to promote peace and unity using music and art as tools for change. Through this initiative, Jojo is able to demonstrates that ‘Music and art are terrific carriers of the anti-violence message’.