Staff Reporter
….as Government vows to fight for children’s rights
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday officially opened the 29th session of the Junior Parliament and vowed that his Government would fight for the children’s rights, while giving deterrent penalties to perpetrators of crimes against children.
Speaking in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the Government would set up children friendly courts that would prosecute crimes against children.
“Stand alone children friendly courts are being set up within our main court systems. The fight against child abuse, child marriages and other harmful practices is being scaled up with perpetrators of crime against children receiving deterrent penalties and sentences,” said the President.
The President added that Government had achieved the bulk of the targets towards an ‘Africa Fit for Children’ and said that the empowerment of children would remain the Government’s priority.
“This is in line with the aspirations of the 2016 African charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child Framework. Relevant and appropriate education skills development and empowerment initiatives for adolescent and young people remain a priority,” added the President.
The President further said that in view of the constraints brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Government was deploying multi-pronged strategies to improve children’s access to education. The strategies include the use of ICTs and lessons conducted over national radio stations.
President Mnangagwa added that the crafting of the National Youth Service Bill and the Youth Bill would provide for the promotion of moral uprightness, self-discipline and incorruptibility among youths. He added that Government had since created platforms such as the National Youth Forum and the Parliamentary Youth Caucus to give senior parliamentarians opportunities to address children’s concerns.
According to President Mnangagwa, Government was establishing vocational training centres across the country to impart practical and life changing skills to the youths.
Meanwhile, 17 year old Hazel Mandaza of Mahusekwa High School who lives with disability is the new Junior President. She urged Government to have robust laws on disability and said children rights should be respected.
