RIGHTS FOR ONE,RIGHTS FOR ALL

 By Chrispin Sinyangwe

The 10th of December is a pivotal day in world history; it marked the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights over 60 years ago at the United
Nations General Assembly. The creation of this document was as a
result of the effects of the Second World War that occurred. To
prevent such from ever occurring again an international community
called the UN was formed from its predecessor the legal of nation
which failed to maintain world peace. From the time the declaration
was passed international organisations, world leaders, governments and
stakeholders have had collective responsible in the fight to promote
human rights. To help assist in this fight, the Zambian Human Rights
Commission was established under article 125 of the Constitution of
Zambia and Human Rights Commission act to investigate and remedy human
rights violations, conduct human rights education and monitor
government’s fulfilment of international and regional human rights
treaties, also human rights obligation under national law.
Nonetheless, it was decided upon to have other Rights, these only
targeting children. This led to the formulation of the United Nation
Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC). To which Zambia is a
state party to.

Over the years Zambia has also acknowledge other
documents including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of a
Child to which it is a state party. Despite Zambia being a state party
to these documents their harmonisation and full recognition has been
lacking in the country. It is therefore important to advocate this
becomes a reality for every Zambian.

If you walked through the streets of Lusaka, you would see children
improvising different means of providing recreational facilities. And
just the other day I found very young children playing soccer on the
road while two other boys where skating. I thought to myself these
children have done nothing wrong apart from trying to have something
exciting to do. But still their lives are threatened all because we
lack recreational facilities. Even though we advocate for these
structures to be put in place it may seem futile as even the ones we
have, as a community and a country have failed to maintain.
The topic of these structure been established, allowing children have
access to their developmental rights is greatly needed. But it is also
important not to dwell only on children’s development rights but also
ensure that their survival and participatory rights are promoted. Many
are the times we focus on one issue affecting children and we quickly
forget that children’s rights are broad.

The approach of recreation can be tackled from three different
points of view. Trying to target schools as the first approach. This
would require improving and upgrading the schools structure on sports
and encouraging children to be part of sport especially the girl
child. The purpose of encouraging the children is also to promote the
diversity of sport and trying to advocate for the variety of sports
they may take keen interest in. The second approach would be community
based. This would require the involvement of the community in
maintaining the grounds in the community and training the aspiring
sports persons. Nelson Mandela said, “There is no keener revelation of
a society’s soul than the way it treats its children.”

The Deputy Mayor of Lusaka Mr Mulenga Sata , speaking on behalf of the
Mayor of Lusaka during the commemoration of this year’s International Human Rights day held in Matero constituency, highlighted the fact that the quality of life
for the people of Lusaka is determined on the type of service rendered
to the public. Furthermore he pledged on behalf of the council to work
in partnership with the human rights to promote the rights of people.
The international human rights day falls on 10th December.

This year it fell under the theme, ’20 years working for your rights.’
It is important as a community to highlight the pledges made and make
follow ups if they are not honoured. ‘Pacta sunt servanda’ is a Latin
proverb, if translated means ‘promises must be kept.’
“So long am faced in the right direction, it doesn’t matter the size
of my steps” Andre Gude. We need to find the right path and the size
of our steps won’t matter because eventually we’ll get there.
Children’s News Agency – With support from European Union

Make an Impact

By: Iman Abdi Ali

We all have a responsibility to our community and more importantly to ourselves to make a positive difference in whatever way we can. This may be just taking the time to educate ourselves about a certain topic or designing a grand scale project that can make many people’s lives better. We just have to take some time off from our daily routines and become aware of issues around us. If we do this, I believe we all have philanthropic feelings that urge us to be selfless and do something to solve these problems.

One of the major problems that concerns most communities is HIV/AIDS. This monstrous disease has affected us all in one way or another. And even though there are many different programs to fight against HIV and AIDS, I believe the ones that can ultimately succeed are the ones that deal with the youth, as they are enthusiastic and energetic to learn new things and change accordingly unlike adults who are hesitant to embrace change easily. Statistics indicate that the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS is among people aged 15-29 of age group. Who are these people? The Youth!! So based on this premises, we need to initiate timely programs that target particularly the youth to have any legitimate fight against HIV/AIDS!!

I recently got acquainted with an organization called Anti-AIDS Teacher’s Association of Zambia (AATAZ); the organization has several programmes that deal with the youth. In one of these programmes, they pick 5-10 children (9-19 age group) from a number of high schools in different parts of the country and train them in a 3 day programme. During this period they mainly train them on life skills (eg. self confidence, assertiveness and critical thinking) . These are of paramount importance for a person to possess particularly at a young age; however, they are qualities that many people lack. It is lack of these life skills I believe that most youth find themselves engaging in alcohol/drug abuse and sexual activities that consequently could lead to HIV infection. So by armouring these youths with life skills, AATAZ is minimizing their chances of HIV infection greatly while also making them responsible and conscientious at the same time.

The programme does not stop there. The trained youths go back to their schools and create a club called “Catch Them Young”. They recruit their fellow pupils and share their newly acquired knowledge. The club members meet regularly and organise events such as drama and poems on HIV/AIDS and life skills that they present to the rest of the school community sharing essential information in a digestible manner.

This program has made a huge impact on many of the children’s life. By the end of the training, the youths are completely different, with a more precise and powerful insight into the world around them and ready to achieve success for their communities and themselves. They have an obligation to share whatever knowledge they have been imparted with, with people around them. They cannot just sit back and leave this for someone else to do.

So I strongly believe people, especially the youth should be very keen to be involved in their communities and not just be in their small little box thinking me, me me!! The sooner that they step out of their comfort zone and experience life in someone else’s shoe the closer they become to being a ‘’complete’’ person!!

The writer of this article Iman Abdi Ali 16 , is at Lusaka International Community School (LICS) and a member of the Children’s News Agency.  

 

FINACIAL EDUCATION FOR CHIILDREN AND YOUTH ‘ZAMBIA’S HOPE REALIZED’

By Chrispin Sinyangwe

A survey by Finscope in 2009,showed that out of the total Zambian populous only about 37% had access to formal financial services. This posed a threat to both the financial security of the country and its citizens.

Research also showed that financially literacy skills benefit everyone, whatever their income or age. Good financial literacy skills help individuals and families make the most of their opportunities, meet their goals and secure their financial wellbeing, also contributing to the economic health of society.

With Zambia’s financial literacy been low in urban areas and extremely low rural areas, its citizen were at risk of been financially exploited. Having easy access to unconventional means of borrowing money from places like loan sharks, knowledge on financial products and services being low exposed Zambian citizens to different types of financial exploitation. With little or no knowledge and the rapidly changing economy, coupled with complex financial decisions, makes personal money management more challenging than ever before. As a result it was decided upon to have a strategy to improve financial literacy of the country.

The Nation Strategy on Financial Education for Zambia was commission by Bank of Zambia and co-founded by the UK’s Department for International Development’s (DFID) Financial Education Fund (FEF) and by FinMark Trust. The primary objective of the strategy is to empower Zambians with knowledge, understanding, skills, motivation and confidence to help them secure positive financial outcome for themselves and their families by 2017.

Children being the future, need to understand more and more about finance, if Zambia is to achieve its goal of being a prosperous middle income country by 2030, children are a key component to this realization.

Financial Education Coordinating Unit of the Bank of Zambia Programme’s Coordinator    Mrs Kabinda Kakoma Kawesha said the National Strategy has three approaches to reach children. Firstly through the school system, this has been done by integrating financial education concepts in the national curricula which will be rolled out next year.

 A number of institutions have set up clubs providing extra curricula activities reaching out to children and the youth, we are also seeking partnership with higher learning institutions, to see how those programmes can be provided to their students, she further lamented.

She stressed the fact that financial education was not only going to be implement by financial institutions but also NGO’s  and with the  partnership with NGO’s having rural outreach programmes, that have been integrated with financial education. This will enable those in rural areas have access to financial education.

Meanwhile, Mwiza Zulu, 14, a pupil at Libala Secondary School  expressed great pleasure at the move by Bank of Zambia and its co-operating partners on the development of the National Strategy.

“If children grow up with financial literacy, they become more responsible with money, promoting accountability and responsibility among children, also reducing corruption, as children are taught core values of Finance”, She said.   

The realization of the need for financial education has brought about hope for the future, a financially fit country is a country masked in wealth. It is therefore the collective responsibility of the Government, its co-operating partners and the Zambian citizen to ensure financial education will contribute adequately to the six national development plan (SNDP), which aims to actualise the aspirations of vision 2030 under the theme of “sustained economic growth and poverty reducation”.    

The writer of this article Chrispin Sinyangwe 16, is at Lusaka High School and a member of the Children’s News Agency.  

EVEN GIRLS DREAM

By Christine Mbewe

Many are the times when we get down discouraged and disappointed. Troubles come along, friends go away, and our loved ones are taken away by illnesses and other tragedies. We as girls are tormented and engulfed.

Most of us are afraid of imagining that, we shut our mental doors and turn the key in the lock, we believe it is sign of weakness to be a dreamer, to the far vision of what might be and do.

For many decades now, girls from all angles of life have been victims of child abuse, neglecting, drugs, slavery and sexual exploitation. Killed and above all they are not considered to be or have bright futures.

Most girls give up their lives and they turn to be bad people but not that they want to but because of the circumstances. Girls who are victims of rape, drugs, sex exploitation and other vices are the things we see in our day to day lives. These girls are psychologically and mentally disturbed because of their past experiences. They are hunted by the things that happened to them they turn to despise others, they grow with hatred and vengeance they feel and surely tell themselves that they can do anything. It is not them they are driven by the vengeance in their hearts.

A girl child with such experiences also like any other normal girl child who has never been subjected to such abuse, she wishes that she  had a normal life, with  a caring person around, someone they could talk to and above all a caring family. Girls who have been abused still remain traumatized. Their rights violated by people in the society. What have we done to our motherland? is the question in their minds day in and day out, while others girls spend a time planning for the future. They have shuttled visions they wish someday someone will come to their aid.

So as we commemorate this year’s International Day of  the Girl Child under the theme, “innovating for girls education”, let us innovate to create a better world and platforms for girls enjoy their fundamental human rights. It is therefore the wish and cry of every girl child that someone out there has a heart and desire to help girls overcome obstacles that have indulged persistently in the lives. The Children’s News Agency (CNA) with Support from the European Union (EU)

RITUAL ABUSE AND CHILDREN

By Gabriel Phiri

Ritual abuse is a brutal form of abuse of children, consisting of physical, sexual and physiological abuse. Rituals in general are not always satanic but depending on the motive of the practice makes it evil. However, in cases of ritual abuse are usually victims suffering the most severe and longstanding emotional damage from the abuse.

 Ritual abuse can be defined as ‘’ the alleged sexual, murder or any spiritual act that can be harmful to the development of a child’’, supposedly committed as part a satanic ritual.  

Zambia has not been spared from alleged ritual abuse practises for many years now. We can tell by the stories of ritual abuse that are all over the Zambian media and children are mostly victims.

Talking to a child who resides in N’gombe Compound in Lusaka where an alleged Congolese national was found practicing rituals on children aged 6 to 11 years old said, “we are now living in fear not knowing what tomorrow will bring and holds for as”. “Seeing friends my age passing through what I can term as hell at a tender age gives me fear”, he lamented.

The relevant authorities such as the police have to ensure that people who are practicing these rituals are dealt with. It is also the responsibility of the community to ensure that children are protected from such practices. There is need for sensitization targeted at members of the community including children.

A community is a source of joy for any child and is important for their development but lately communities have slowly turned into dangerous places for children. Numerous children have been abused, others have mysteriously disappeared while others have been murdered in cold blood. The phrase Today’s children are tomorrow's leaders is slowly losing its meaning.’’ But the question still remains what are you as an individual's doing about this case?  The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.

ECZ FORMS VOTER EDUCATION CLUBS IN SCHOOLS

By Joseph Lungu & Perrykent Nkole

The right to seek, receive and impart information in various forms according to article 13 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC/CRC) has moved a step further in being fulfilled through the Electoral Commission of Zambia's (ECZ)’s decision to form Voter Education School clubs.

The Voter Education School Clubs (VES) were launched in September in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education. The clubs are currently running in all the 10 provinces of Zambia.

The formation of Voter Education School Clubs has also fulfilled part of the Electoral Act no. 12 of 2006, article 76 of the Constitution of Zambia which outlines one of the responsibilities of the Electoral Commission of Zambia as being ‘to conduct voter education’.

The Voter Education School Club’s main aim is to work with the school system to enlighten school going children on electoral matters and create awareness on their responsibilities in the electoral process. The clubs shall also endeavor to come up with activities that promote ideas of honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability and shall ensure that these ideas and their practical applications are appreciated by the school community.

The intention of the club is to inculcate a culture of integrity and loyalty into school going children, to use school children as a channel to reach the wider Zambian community with voter education messages, to spread voter education messages in schools and involve school going children in the fight against electoral malpractices and to enable teachers and pupils understand the electoral process.

The ECZ expects all the pupils to instill upon themselves the principles of non-partisanship, objectivity, transparency and openness in order for them to grow up into responsible citizens able to participate profoundly in the electoral procedure. A good illustration of what the ECZ is trying to prevent can be derived from some of the previous elections we have had in the country where less than a quarter of registered voters took part in the elections. Through the teachings children will receive at the voter newly created club, it is hoped that situations like low voter turnout will be no more in future.

The clubs shall be for pupils and all programs shall be pupil-driven. The club patron shall be a member of the teaching or administration staff of the school appointed by the school management. He or she shall be a bond between the club and the school authorities and shall ensure that activities of the club are not a variance with the rules and regulations set by the school.

Club meetings will be conducted in an orderly manner with respect for individuals. Whenever a meeting is held, records of such a meeting shall be taken down and entered in the VES club activity book which every school is expected to keep.

The ECZ wants to create a relationship based on mutual understanding and shared values, therefore, it shall play an advisory role to the clubs, will provide human or material resources if requested for and when available will help organize and monitor activities for the clubs.

Discipline and respect for self, other pupils, teachers and the school system wide-ranging have been set as the key factors and shall be expected from all those associated with the voter education school clubs.

 Speaking in an interview with the Children's News Agency, ECZ Deputy Director Mrs Jacquelyn Mubita said that is important to sensitize pupils about the electoral process to enable them to be responsible citizens because young people nowadays are being used as political tools of violence. She also stated that with this great step that the ECZ has taken, an electoral malpractice free country is possible.

And a child schooling at one of the schools where the club is running said that he feels happy following the introduction of these clubs in schools because they do not only benefit those that are members of the club, but also other pupils because they will learn from their friends who are members of the club. He also stated that he believes the teachings from the club meetings could also lead to a reduction in the cases of political violence and electoral rigging in the country.

It is said that ‘life is 10% what happens to a person and 90% how he reacts to it’, so it is up to these young people to make the fight against electoral malpractice successful. The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.

THE BBC AFRICA DEBATE: Children need to grow up in a democratic nation

By Brian Phiri

The British Broadcasting Corporation BBC held its monthly debate in Lusaka on the 26^th of September 2013.The debate that was held under the theme “Can democracy deliver for Africa?” was held at the Government Complex in Lusaka.  It was attended by various government representatives with the Republican Vice President Dr. Guy Scott being one of the panellists, opposition political party leaders such as the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) President, Dr. Nevers Mumba and party officials.  Journalists, college and university students, voters and the civil society also made the audience.

Don Damon Presenter of the BBC World Service Daily Radio and Alex Jakana BBC Africa presenter moderated the debate. The target of the debate was to find out if democracy is one of the best forms of government as to which Africa can be ruled by and Zambia was picked as it is thought to be one of the countries that have upholded a peaceful democratic rule for several years.

“The subject of this edition has been one of the most popular topics suggested by various listeners of the debate, and questions of this kind have come up time and again,” stated Alex Jakana. He continued to say that Zambia has an image of a working peaceful democracy that has appeared to be under threat lately thus the theme.

The three panellists being the Republican Vice President Dr Scott, Sipho Malunga, the Executive Director of the Open Society Initiative Southern Africa (OSISA) and Linda Kasonde a lawyer under the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) were put in a tight spot as many questions, contributions and criticisms arose from the audience ranging from poverty, mining and the main issue of democracy being dead in the country since the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) government took over leadership in 2011.

Many in the audience felt that democracy has lost its true meaning from Abraham Lincoln the first President of the United States of America’s definition. Among the many who criticised the presence of democracy being present in the country was Elijah Ngwale, a disability rights activist.

The opposition also strongly attested to the fact that democracy has lost its meaning in Zambia. “Of course the whole nation at large rejoiced when the Patriotic Front government was declared the wining party, but in the two years of governance, this government has failed to deliver to the people rule by the people, for the people with the people. It seems everyone is hungry for power and being in government,” one of the opposition officials stated. The issue of land wrangles by the ruling governments’ cadres in the country was also raised and the president’s silence was questioned. It was also stated to say that because of these land situation children’s futures were being destroyed as they are the ones who suffer most. “Are cadres now going to rule our country? What next? Have we failed as a democratic nation?” they asked.

In an interview with BBC presenter and moderator of the debate, Don Damon after the debate, he highlighted the importance of hosting the debate for the children.   “I have covered some rather tragic stories involving children in many countries were democracy isn’t the rule of the day, but military rule mostly. Many children are affected by military and dictator forms of governments hence rebels arise and involve children to take part in the fights against the government and many children die,” Damon said.

He also said in these countries poverty is the order of the day and malnutrition and hunger attack the children mostly. “Children need to understand what democracy is all about. It is important for children to grow up in a democratic kind of government and not only that, children need to participate in democracy as this is their right, and in decision making they should also be involved. They should be given a voice in a democratic country to speak out in the many issues that affect them,” he stated.

The panellists also believe that democracy can make it for the country as one party rule, military and traditional rule failed to deliver a sustainable government for any country. Dr. Scott defended the PF saying the democracy of 1991 from the one-part era to the current government, is incomparable as the former governments were much worse-off in terms of infrastructure, education, economic development and employment. But if Zambia wasn’t a democratic nation there wouldn’t be fair elections or  no elections at all, but because we are a democracy we still have peace and still called a developing country”  Dr Scott said.

‘Not much at the debate was covered for the children’ hence Damon hoped that next time the BBC hosts a debate, children will be involved. The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.

BOARDING SCHOOLS VS. DAY SCHOOLS

                          By Diana Ejemenye

       With many pupils passing their exams this year, there is the common question of which school they would be pleased to go to. Pupils have the very choice of either going to a boarding school or the most common: a day school. But the true question that even parents want to know is: which one is better?

          According to Rebecca Phiri, who is a pupil at Munali Girls School, says that boarding school is way better. In her own words, boarding schools give pupils peace of mind because they are free from the stress at home. She added that it is much easier to study at boarding school than at home because there are fewer distractions. Though she changes and says that day school is pretty good because of the amount of free time it gives.

        Although, most people on the internet argue that boarding schools separate the child from the family, and instil a feeling of abandonment by parents in the child. As one of the users on yahoo answers said: “You find that keeping your child away from you for so long makes your child’s relationship with you deteriorate. When your child comes back home, he or she is like a person that you don’t know.” Other issues that were brought up were that bullying was harder to run away from. I mean, how can you possibly run from the bullies when you actually live in the same dorm with them? This leads to the feeling of fear in the children, and makes them not focus on their education while they are at the school.

    But with day schools, children have enough time with their parents and are able to build relationships with them. Day schools are an equal balance between education and relaxation for the children. Pupils also have a less chance of getting their items stolen compared to boarding school where chances of theft are high. The only problem is that pupils get less time to study, but that can be easily ignored if you make your child go to an all day school.

     In the end, it comes down to the parent and the child themselves. The child and the parent have to be open to both ideas. Most parents don’t mind which type of school it is, as long as their children are getting the education that they need.  On the other hand, a lot of children said that they fear going to boarding school, more than they fear going to day school. They said, as I quote: “Boarding school freaks me out. Just the idea of being away from my parents scares me!” Another one added that her mom does everything for her, including organising her clothes for school and the next week, without her mom she would be nothing. Parents of children that go to boarding school actually argued that the schools have taught their children to be independent, giving them skills that they’ll need in the real world. But one mother said that her child has actually become more disciplined at day school. “The teachers work with her all day, including counselling, and it has changed her completely! Now she actually cleans her room without me telling her to do it.” She said.

     But most mothers, including fathers say that girl children actually become more morally upright at boarding school, particularly girl’s schools, because they teach girls morals as well as normal subjects. Discipline is also instilled in the child, especially in most catholic schools and Christian schools. But according to me, there are also some day schools that do the same, especially those that are religious.

         In the end, it depends on where you decide to take your child. When taking your child to a new school for the new year, make sure you do some research on each school that you want to take them to. Look at the advantages and disadvantages of each school that you have in mind. Go to the school website; even get to know the headmaster or headmistress, so that you make your child’s learning experience a good one and a safe one!        The Children's News Agency (CNA) with support from the European Union (EU)

Empowering children through art

By Chrispin Sinyangwe

A creative mind is one that does not lack innovation. Certainly Bare-feet is no exception, a creative art and performing project, using theatre art, dance, music to support the development of children mostly at risk of disengaging from their communities. Bare-feet offer children an opportunity to have a voice heard and a channel through which to express themselves. The organisation also allows children and young people to showcase their talents while giving them dignity and worth.

Uniquely Bare-feet is made up of young artists, most of whom formally from the streets, now working as artists, facilitators and managers with various responsibilities. The overall goal of Bare-feet is to prevent children from living on the street and the organisation works with its partners to assist in the shared goal of moving the children from the street to a safer environment.

Bare-feet hosts various activities and events such as five toes, interventions, children’s council, Bare-feet youth arts festival, performance and outreach. The children’s council comprises of young activists from 12-18 years of age, acting as ambassadors for Bare-feet. These children advocate for a free and just world. As children representing the future, the children’s council has been equipped with necessary tools to become peer educators and role models, who play a cardinal part in motivating and supporting their communities in developing a positive and health attitude toward life.  

Quest project an initiative by Bare-feet which allows children to express themselves in film production. Being an online collaboration in which provinces around the country have been twined, enables them to interact with each other and post their short films online.

In order that the children showcase their talents in creative arts and film production, Bare-feet organises an annual festival. All partners from different provinces are brought together and children would take part in different activities such as dancing and fashions shows.

Clara Chiteka a pupil from Chinika Secondary School attributed to the fact that the Quest project has helped her unveil her creative side. “Working on short films is challenging but delightful”, says Clara. She highlighted the fact she wants to peruse journalism but also assured herself that she would still remain true to her passion for film production.

Life is full of mysteries and wonders the world has never known, and all it takes is a child with a nurtured mind willing to take the risk in what they believe in and take a stand for it. A child nurtured to never lose hope, even when all seems lost.

  "Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts."Albert Einstein.    The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union

Children still lacking visibility in the Zambian media

By Chrispin Sinyangwe

All forms of media play an important role towards the development of children. Child participation in the media is cardinal as it allows children to express their views on issues affecting them. Since 2011, the Media Network Child Rights and Development (MNCRD) has embarked on equipping the media and children with skills to cover child rights and development issues in Zambia. Despite all efforts being put in stories on children only catered for 9 % of all stories broadcast during the period monitored.

Results from the 2012 Media Monitoring Report, showed that children covered in the media were mostly portrayed as victims. Forty five percent of stories portrayed children as victims. This indicates a significant increase from 27 percent in 2011 and the increase in reporting on girls was due to the increase of child abuse stories.”

 "Children are sometimes covered in the media but are mostly portrayed as victims, having their opinions almost never heard. It is important for children to take part in media activities to enable them air out their own opinion”, said 14 year old Mwiza Zulu. MNCRD Projects Manager Prisca Sikana expressed sadness at how children had been neglected by the media."Their stories have been looked upon as irrelevant; the only stories considered as news worthy is in the negative. On the part of electronic and print media, not enough space is given to children,” said Ms Sikana.

A former child television presenter, Brian Phiri expressed sadness at how children are only given one day in a week to air out their views on television by some television stations.  “Even though, children do all the programmes on that day, freedom of expression is still hindered as children are told what to do and say”, he adds.

 Press Association of Zambia (PAZA), Executive Secretary Patson Phiri said the organisation has set up a desk to sensitize the general membership and encourage them to cover issues affecting children.

“The capacity to write and report on children’s issues is lacking among journalists in the country. They should be able to interpret issues affecting children in the country and make them interesting in the eyes of the reader.” He lamented.

The Media Monitoring Report is produced by MNCRD and Media Monitoring Africa yearly with the support from the European Union and Save the Children International.

The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.

Woes of young people after completing secondary school

By Brian Phiri

  “We were desperate to leave high school and go on a quest to find jobs,” said a group of grade twelve school leavers. “Now that our results are out, we are jobless and we are now desperate to go to college and university, but without money it is 100% impossible for us to do so,” they further said.

After writing their final secondary school leaving examinations in November 2012, many school leavers are now roaming the streets complaining that there is no employment in the country. The school leavers said they have so far written applications to various companies and co-operations to be sales representatives, receptionists, secretaries and even general workers but all this has proved futile. The school leavers said they need employment in order to serve money for university and college expenses.

Other school leavers said government bursaries are also very few and only cater for those with very high marks. Others say they no longer want to depend on their parents or guardians to continue paying school fees for them through university or college while for others, their parents or guardians are not able to raise money required for them to pursue tertiary or university education.

“I have just been home, sleeping and eating for over 5 months since I wrote my grade 12 exams. I have applied for work at over 5 companies and all they have told me is that they need a university degree, certificate or diploma,” 17 year old, Jack Mwaba of Mtendere. Jack further said it was discouraging to know that even a job as sales attendant, receptionist, and general working requires qualifications such as degrees or certificate.

“How can we go to college or university without money? That money can only be earned by doing a particular job, but because unemployment levels are high, very few of us will be able to make it to university or college or even get employed,” lamented Twaambo Saili.

Others spoken to attributed the lack of employment to nepotism, tribalism and corruption across the country. They said that in order for one to get a job in some companies, somebody they know has to work there, or they have to give some money to those offering the employment or one has to be of the same tribe or creed with their prospective employer to get a normal and stable job. The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.

CHAMA AND SERENJE DISTRICTS’ PLIGHT FOR QUALITY HEALTH CARE DELIVERY RECOGNISED

By Victor Kanguya,

Children are a very vital part of society; their well being and that of their mothers should be taken into account in order to achieve sustainable social, economic and political development. In a bid to achieve this, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (MCDMCH) with its cooperating partners on Tuesday 7^th May, 2013 handed over two new Ambulances to Serenje and Chama Districts. This donation was aimed at increasing the country’s momentum in achieving the millennium development goals 1, 4 and 5, with the help of the H4+ CIDA program.

Despite the numerous efforts being made by the Government and its cooperating partners, access to quality maternal and newborns health care has continued to remain a major challenge for most sub Saharan African countries. In Zambia alone, it is estimated that approximately eight women die each day due to pregnancy and child birth and forty eight newborns die due to prematurity complications during delivery and infections. Ill equipment and lack of trained personnel in hospitals especially in farfetched areas has been cited as one of the major barriers to achieving quality health care for Women and children in the country.

Zambia being a United Nations UN member state is required to make efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In order to achieve this, Government has partnered with various stakeholders in realizing these goals particularly MDG 4 and 5 targets: where the country is expected to make strides in reducing child mortality rates by two thirds and improve maternal health among others. On Tuesday, Government and its cooperating partners launched the 2013 MDG report. During the launch, it was noted that though the country had achieved much, there was need to accelerate efforts in reducing child mortality rates. The report also highlighted major achievements so far such as the reduction in Child Mortality by 30 percent. However it was observed that Zambia will not be able to achieve the MDG on maternal mortality at the current pace the country is taking.

In a bid to help attain MDGs 4 and 5, various activities are being undertaken. One such program is the H4+ CIDA program. The H4+ CIDA program is comprised of UNICEF, WHO, UNAIDS, UNFPA and the World Bank. The program has been supporting the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health and the Ministry of Health since 2012 to accelerate progress towards maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality reduction in Chama, Chadiza, Serenje, Lukulu and Kalabo districts.

UNICEF Zambia Country Representative, Dr. Iyorlumum J. Uhaa said the project aims to strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to quality Reproductive Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) services. He further said, UNICEF is supporting the five districts in order to accelerate progress towards maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality to enable Government address gaps in the mentioned districts, He said in his speech.

Delivery of quality health care services is vital for the country’s development. Government through the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health is involved in a number of programs to address the challenge of maternal and child health in the country. During the handover of the two ambulances, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health Hon. Jean Kapata reiterated government’s commitment in providing quality health care services in the country. She also said the ambulances could not have come at a better time and the gesture must be highly recommended. “These Ambulances have been given to them to accelerate maternal health and prevent unnecessary deaths because no Woman should die while giving birth no matter where they live”, she said.

Despite the acknowledgement that Zambia will not be able to achieve MDG goals on Child Mortality and Maternal Health, the country should still continue to strive and meet these goals. All stakeholders should ensure mothers are healthy all the times in order to reduce on emergencies and save the lives of children and their mothers. The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union

“WE CAN DEFEAT MALARIA”, WORLD MALARIA DAY CELEBRATED

By Victor Kanguya,

Malaria kills one child every 30 seconds, about 3000 children every day. Over one million people die from malaria each year, mostly children under the age of five, with 90 percent of malaria cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. With such developments the world had to respond. In 2007 the World Malaria Day was instituted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) member states during the World Health Assembly. The theme for this year’s World Malaria Day which falls today, 25^th April 2013 is invest in the future, defeat Malaria.

World Malaria Day was established to provide education and understanding of Malaria. It is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for Malaria prevention and control. This day is also viewed as an opportunity for international partners, companies and foundations to showcase their efforts and reflect on how to further scale up interventions against combating Malaria. The World Health Organisation and other partners are calling upon the world to invest in the Malaria fight as this is the major step to eradicating this disease.

Despite Malaria being a preventable and curable disease it has continued to be one of the major causes of death in the world, particularly among Women and Children. Approximately half of the world’s population is at risk of Malaria, most of the cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2010, Malaria caused an estimated 660,000 deaths (with an uncertainty range of 490,000 to 836,000), mostly among African Children. Malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25 percent globally since 2000 and by 33 percent in the World Health Organisation WHO African Region.

Of all people who die from Malaria in Zambia, 50 percent or more are children under the age of five years. Though Zambia has made strides in Malaria prevention and control in the last five years, it still kills more Children under the age of five than any other illness. Malaria affects more than 4 million Zambians annually, accounting for approximately 30 percent of outpatient visits and resulting in almost 8,000 deaths each year. Under five Children and pregnant Women are the most vulnerable, especially those in remote and impoverished areas, with 35-50 percent of under five mortality attributable to Malaria. Poor health seeking behaviour among communities is another challenge related to low awareness about Malaria.

Speaking during the launch of 2013 World Malaria Day, Minister of Health, Dr Joseph Kasonde said government is committed to reducing Malaria in the country. This is why the government has initiated various programmes such as encouraging pregnant women to attend Antenatal, distribution of mosquito nets, indoor and outdoor spraying.

If the world is to maintain and accelerate progress against Malaria, in line with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6, and to ensure attainment of MDG 4 and 5, more funds are urgently required. Malaria prevention and treatment is expensive. Only over the last five years, as a result of partnership between the Government of Zambia, the World Health Organisation WHO, UNICEF and other partners have made the plight of treating Malaria affordable for most Zambians. In order to fight Malaria measures such as the distribution of subsidized nets Insecticide-treated Nets (INTs) are now widely available, but need still outstrips supply. Currently 64 percent of households in Zambia own at least one INT.

Combating Malaria is vitally important in the battle to save young lives and protect Children from losing their Mothers. Since 2000 Malaria mortality rates have fallen more than 25 percent, and 50 of the 99 countries with ongoing transmission are now on track to meet the 2015 World Health Assembly target of reducing incidence rates by more than 75 percent. If the world is to halt Malaria, there is need concerted efforts and self prevention among the public.     The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.

KUKWATILISA BANA TILEKE - STOP CHILD MARRIAGES

By Mwiza Zulu

The Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs has launched a national campaign against early marriages. The launch which took place on Saturday, 13^th April 2013 in Chipata Eastern Province was held under the theme, ‘end child marriages; let girls be girls, not brides’.

Present at the event were Zambia’s First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba, his Royal Highness Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative Ms Gita Gupta, cabinet ministers and many other dignitaries.

In his welcoming remarks, Eastern Province Minister Mr Malonzo Sichone said that early marriages deny the girls and boys of their youth. He said it is also a violation of their fundamental rights and that it was for this reason that the campaign was launched.

In a speech read for him by Mr. George Zulu, Paramount Chief Mpezeni promised his total support to the campaign. He said he was ready to take centre stage in the fight against early marriages. “Girls involved in early marriages are exposed to many health risks”, Mpenzeni said.

Chief Mpezeni added that the government should not be left alone in the fight against early marriages. He further encouraged the traditional community to help in this fight.

Chief Mpezeni further urged the government to create mechanisms to allow chiefs to enforce panic punishment for perpetrators.

The Chief also urged parents to let their children go to school and not marry them off.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative Ms Gita Gupta said everyone should not take early marriage as tradition because tradition can change.

“We need to focus on giving disadvantaged families opportunities as alternatives to marrying off their daughters.” She lamented.

The legal marriage age should change so that early marriages should not be justified as culturally acceptable she further said.

Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Prof. Nkandu Luo whose Ministry is behind the campaign said the fight against early marriages is a regional issue and not only a national issue.

And First Lady Dr. Christine Kaseba who was Guest of Honour at the launch said child marriage is one of the most severe violations of child rights. She said child marriages expose the children to violence and abuse and deny children their childhood. The First Lady clearly showed her support to the campaign against early marriages as she frequently said  during her speech, ‘kukwatilisa bana tileke’, which means stop child marriages.

She stated that the government needs to strive to end poverty which is one of the major contributors to early marriages.

She further urged the government to tackle the issue of definition of a child. She said both Customary and Statutory Law should recognize a child as a person below the age of 18.

Child marriage can be stopped in one generation and this campaign is a step forward in the fight against child marriages.

Just as our First Lady put it, ‘kukwatilisa bana tileke’, let girls be girls, not brides. The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union

THE STATE PARTY REPORT ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, IS IT SERVING ITS PURPOSE?

By Victor Kanguya,

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20^th November, 1989 and entered into force on 2^nd September, 1990. The Convention, which contains 54 articles, is a comprehensive instrument which sets out rights that define universal principles and norms for children. To adequately insure all the protocols were being adhered to, states parties are obliged to submit initial reports.

One of the principle mechanisms by which the treaty bodies monitor the extent of compliance by states parties with their obligations under the human rights treaties is through a system of state party reporting. Under each of the treaties, states parties undertake to submit reports to the treaty bodies; explaining the progress made and problems encountered in implementing treaty obligations.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a body of 18 internationally elected independent experts on Children’s Rights. The Committee monitors progress towards implementing these rights. In assessing a country’s progress towards implementing the UNCRC, the UN committee takes into account the Government’s reports and submissions from non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) concerned with Children’s Rights and welfare.

The Committee has noted that some of the reports submitted initially were so brief and that the Committee found it necessary to elaborate general guidelines regarding the form and content of reports. These consolidated guidelines were designed to ensure that reports were presented in a uniform manner and to enable the Committee obtain a complete picture of the situation in each state as regards the implementation of the rights referred to in the covenant.

Despite the guidelines, however, some reports are still so brief and general that they do not satisfy the reporting obligations under the Article 44. In these cases the Committee can grant, during examination of the report the possibility to state party to compliment this information within a specified deadline. Governments are encouraged; using the Convention as a guide in policy making implementation to: Ensure that all legislation is fully compatible with the convention as well as develop a comprehensive national agenda for Children among others.

Considering the importance of the UNCRC there is need for states parties to ensure they submit their annual reports to the Committee. Zambia is one of the countries that have fallen significantly behind in the submission of reports, hence making it difficult for the Committee to monitor states parties’ reports. The Committee has the mandate to examine the country’s situation when states have failed to produce a report for several years.

Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of charity. They are human beings and are subject to their own rights. There is need for Children to be adequately represented during public considerations. Even though there are provisions for an individual to make complaints to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, children are not considered despite being the cause of action.  The Convention encourages states to take special measures to develop special institutions for the promotion and protection of Children’s Rights.

Children deserve to be highly valued for the unique contribution they make through just being children. Despite the UNCRC being a tool formulated to the highest of standards, many have expressed dissatisfaction with the document. The public have noted the lack of provisions for rigorous sanctions that will compel states parties to produce complete reports and on time. The best interests of the child should be the primary concern of decision making, and all matters relating to children should be of outright importance to everyone. The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.