TREASURE OUR CHILDREN

By Mwiza Zulu,                                                                                      Children’s News Agency (CNA)

The United Nations (UN) Universal Children’s Day is an occasion to promote the welfare of children and to create a mutual understanding among children all over the world.

This day is commemorated on November 20^th each year. This is the same day the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989.

Zambia, being a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child joined the rest of the world on November 20^th 2012 in commemorating the Universal Children’s Day. It was indeed another milestone in recognising the important role children play in our society.

Children, being tomorrow’s leaders have to be taken care of in all aspects of their lives and therefore, this year’s theme was, ‘Treasure Our Children’.

The Media Network on Child Rights and Development (MNCRD), Children In Need Network (CHIN), the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and World Vision Zambia came together to host this year’s commemoration of the Universal Children’s Day. This event took place at Southern Sun Ridgeway Hotel in Lusaka.

Officiating at the event on behalf of the wife to the Republican Vice President Mrs Charlotte Scott was Mrs Mary Shamenda (wife to the Minister of Labour, Mr Fackson Shamenda). Mrs Shamenda was accompanied by Mrs Edith Phiri (wife to Education Minister Dr John Phiri), Mrs Grace   Chenda (wife to Agricultural Minister Mr Emmanuel Chena) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health, Professor Elwyn Chomba. Also present were representatives from various organisations and government departments.

During the commemoration, children from different walks of life were given a chance to talk about issues that affect them. Some of these issues included high dropout levels in schools and poor quality of education, child and maternal health, children living on the streets, child abuse and non- participation of children.

In her speech Mrs. Shamenda said the government of the Republic of Zambia visualises a world that embraces all children regardless of the various backgrounds they may come from. “This year’s Universal Children’s Day theme ‘Treasure Our Children’ is a reminder to all to wake up to the challenges faced by children”, she said.

She further said government commends the relentless efforts that non- state actors put into implementation and amplification of the voice of children in national development.

Mrs Shamenda stated that the government, working through the ministries that promote child development and all development partners including civil society organisations will continue to work closely to improve the lives of Zambian children.

The 31^st President of the United States of America, Herbert Hoover once said “children are our most valuable resource.” Therefore, like this year’s Universal Children’s Day states, LET’S ALL TREASURE OUR CHILDREN... - The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.

ZAMBIA LAUNCHES 2012 CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT REPORT

By Chrispin Sinyangwe and Mwiza Zulu

The Ministry of Gender and Child Development has launched the Child Protection System Assessment and Mapping Report for 2012. The Minister of Gender and Child Development, Hon. Inonge Wina, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, Ms Edwidge K.M. Mutale and the UNICEF Country Representative, Dr Iyorlumun Uhaa were among the people present at the launch held at Taj Pamodzi Hotel on Tuesday, 30^th October 2012.

In her remarks to officially launch the report, Hon Wina said the report was  aimed at assisting government and various stakeholders working in the area of child development, come up with a user friendly child protection policy.

’’ The report is aimed at assisting government and various stakeholders working in the area of child development, come up with a user friendly child protection policy upon which child protection framework will be anchored’’, she said.

She said the launch of this report had come timely, as the nation was currently faced with ever increasing cases of child abuse and neglect.

Hon. Inonge Wina said the report will assist Zambia come up with an improved child protection system, providing a mechanism through which families, communities, institutions and the society at large will respond positively to address various instances of child right violation prevailing in our country.

She said, “as government, we are committed to ensuring that children are given the best possible start in life through the development of appropriate policies and programs”.

And speaking at the same event, UNICEF Country Representative, Dr Iyorlumun Uhaa  said children are the most important asset we have.  “When you read in the newspapers a 10 year old girl being defiled, children being trafficked, children being abused by those who are supposed to protect them’’ Dr Uhaa said.

‘’This is unacceptable, we cannot have a system were our most importance asset is being destroyed ’’, he lamented.

Dr Iyorlumun Uhaa said the significant weakness the report had shown was the inter sectoral collaboration not really being there. He said protecting the rights of child is not only a responsibility of the Ministry of Gender and Child Development but everyone’s responsibility.   

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Child Development added on saying, a sample of 18 districts of all provinces of Zambia were covered during the research and that various key stakeholders including the church, traditional leaders and children gave their views.      

The launch of the report is a milestone for many, especially those concerned about children’s welfare and people working with children in different parts of the country. The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.