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.