Do children have a say in society development?

By Natasha Mwansa Every human being wants their rights recognised, their welfare established and their development assured. Seen as we children are human as well, we want nothing but even more than this, unfortunately for us children to get this is quite difficult in fact almost impossible. In November 29th 1999, Zambia signed the African charter on the rights and welfare of the child (ACRWC). In doing so Zambia agreed to promote and protect children’s rights and welfare not forgetting development, health, education, freedom of expression, primary consideration of our best interest and so much more. Government has also put in place some laws and policies and all to ensure all of this. However the question is even through we have all the policies, laws, rights and all are well, we as Zambians are we doing anything to improve them and if so, we ask is this enough? Dwelling on the preamble of the (ACRWC) it stipulates that everything that has to be done with children or adults or human beings, whether cultural, traditional, school, community or home has a role to play in promoting and protecting our rights, welfare and development as children. However if we look around and see what goes on in children’s well-being, it is not very pleasant and mostly quite the contrary. Most societies say that children are just children they know nothing, they are to be seen not heard and such negative comments coming from our elderlies. If we look at the (ACRWC) and the United Nations Convention on the rights of a child that Zambia signed, clearly states that in all actions concerning children whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions and authority. The best interest of the child shall be a primary consideration. So if we look around is this what happens really. Also when it comes to our freedom of expression is their ever a chance really that children get to express their true feelings, views, suggestions, responses even as beneficiaries. Mostly we are told what to do and so on. After all we are the future. The author of this article is a member of the Children’s News Agency, Lusaka Bureau. cnazambia@gmail.com.