Staff Reporter
Government has approved the initial report of the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.
Addressing the media soon after the 27th Cabinet session yesterday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa informed the nation that progress had been made and measures undertaken in reviewing various pieces of legislation and policies in accordance with the Constitution Amendment Number 20 of 2013.
“The nation is informed that the Republic of Zimbabwe ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography in 2011.According to the Optional Protocol`s Guidelines, an Initial Report has to be submitted pending three yearly periodic submissions.
“The Report presents the progress made and measures undertaken in reviewing various pieces of legislation and policies in order to strengthen laws in accordance with the Constitution Amendment Number 20 of 2013,”said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa highlighted that the State Party continues on a positive note in the domestication and effective implementation of obligations under the Optional Protocol in particular Article 3.
She chronicled some of the laws that support the Protocol in Zimbabwe and these include Marriages Act of 2019 which prohibits child marriage, pledging of children in marriage, sexual exploitation and harmful cultural practices.
Minister Mutsvangwa informed the nation that the Government of Zimbabwe takes note of the Protocols` Guidelines and would strengthen awareness and dissemination of the Optional Protocol to stakeholders. She further said that the Government would continue to implement measures that promote, protect and respect the rights of children.
