Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe government of has been urged to urgently address the persistent challenges affecting children and youths in the country, including limited access to quality education, healthcare, and protection from abuse.
Peace-building organization Heal Zimbabwe Trust made the call on Monday, as the country joined the rest of Africa in commemorating the Day of the African Child, a day set aside to reflect on the progress made in promoting and protecting children’s rights.
In a statement, Heal Zimbabwe Trust called on policymakers to strengthen support systems for children through better planning, budgeting, and targeted reforms.
It said although progress has been made in social protection such as through the Basic Education Assistance Model (BEAM) and the Harmonized Social Cash Transfer (HSCT) program, more needs to be done.
“Many children still face obstacles including poor access to quality education, drug abuse, lack of proper health services, and continued exposure to child marriages,” he said Heal Zimbabwe Trust said political platforms for youths, such as the Junior Parliament and Youth Council, often lack genuine representation and are sometimes used in a tokenistic manner.
The organization called for the inclusion of youth voices in decision-making processes and the implementation of meaningful reforms that reflect the needs and rights of children.
“As we commemorate this important day, we urge parents, policymakers, schools, and communities to work together to address the challenges faced by African children,” it said.
“Let us protect the rights of children, promote their wellbeing, and provide them with the opportunities they deserve to succeed.”
Zimbabwe commemorated the Day of the African Child (DAC), which was established by the Assembly of Heads of State of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1991.
The DAC is marked annually on 16 June and pays tribute to the 1976 Soweto student uprising in South Africa, where many children lost their lives protesting against the apartheid regime’s poor education policies.
It has since become a platform for stakeholders to reflect on efforts to protect children’s rights and push for change across the continent. According to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), Africa had an estimated 650 million children in 2021.
By 2023, 40 percent of Africa’s population was under the age of 15, much higher than the global average of 25 percent, with the committee projecting that by 2055, the continent will be home to one billion children, representing 40 percent of the global child population.
The rapid demographic growth demands urgent and increased investment in children to ensure Africa’s sustainable development.
This year the theme of the DAC; “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010” calls on the African Union (AU) member states to assess the extent to which children’s issues have been integrated into national planning and budgeting frameworks.
It also encourages governments to reform these frameworks to adopt a child rights-based approach.
New Ziana
