17 Nov 2024

The commemorations of the regional World Children’s Day has been described as a powerful reminder of collective responsibility to uphold the rights and welfare of children across the continent.

Delivering a message at the day’s commemoration for SADC region at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on Saturday, President of Zimbabwe Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa said the commemoration was in line with adoption of the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child.

He said considerations must be made to establish a SADC protocol on children’s rights to strengthen instruments on child protection.

He urged all to recommit to availing resources towards child focused initiatives in line with their appeals in their Call-for-Action, bearing in mind that children were the future leaders of the respective countries. He said the children were given an opportunity to present their views, challenges and expectations through their Call-for-Action with the hope that leaders would consolidate in their respective nations development agendas.

Dr Mnangagwa further added that the gathering was testament to shared dedication to children’s rights and their rights to participate in decisions that affected their lives.

Through the occasion, he said children from seven countries of the region being the host Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia were exposed to experience and opportunity to engage in life changing dialogue on crucial issues that affected their future.

“The children’s voices on aspects to do with quality education, inclusivity, protection of their rights as well as climate change must never be silenced,” he said.

He said members of SADC must always when they engage in various activities be alive to the rich African heritage, aspirations of the respective nations and the continent as a whole. This year, Dr Mnangagwa said the continent was focused on education an African that was fit for the 21^st security and such feat would be achieved through the establishment of resilient education systems.

Dr Mnangagwa appreciated the partnership between United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), other United Nations (UN) agencies as well as respective regional countries’ governments in promoting dialogue. 

He said in SADC region, most issues affecting children were cross cutting and therefore calling for the need to strengthen instruments on child protection in order to address gaps and specific measurable targets to achieve greater results.

Dr Mnangagwa said as countries were scaling up activities guided by this year’s theme of; Educate and Skill the African Child for Posterity, children must be taught that a country was built, governed and prayed for by its people. 

Dr Mnangagwa said the regional leaders equally recognised the importance of accessible and affordable health services to children. 

Undoubtedly, he said the scourge of drugs and substance abuse continued to threaten the future and education of children and youth in the region.

UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon said the gathering was a call for unwavering commitment to safeguarding and advancing the rights of children across Southern Africa, a commitment that was aligned with the UN sustainable development goals. 

He said their shared commitment focused on fostering balanced and inclusive progress across economic, social and environmental fronts with key investment pathways in education, transformation, digital connectivity, climate action and enhanced social protection all aimed at securing a bright future for the children.

He said the aim was to amplify children’s voices and insuring that they were integral to policy and future decisions making processes.

Mr Kallon said education was a cornerstone for societal transformation as it fostered peace, social justice, equity and inclusivity. 

UNICEF Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Ms Etleva Kadili said the event was focused on children’s right and their education, therefore called on governments and other stakeholders to do their best to promote a productive, rights respecting and peaceful society where children can thrive and reach their full potential. 

Ms Kadili said education was a fundamental right and a vital tool to doing away with poverty. 

She also commended some special advances that had taken place in the region aimed at empowering children.

“In Botswana, children are learning with digital tools, with Namibia making school more inclusive and Zambia is creating safe space for children to protect them while South Africa has a plan to make up for learning lost during COVID-19,” she said. 

She said when leaders listen to children and act, they could make a huge difference. ENDS