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.