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Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO province on Thursday joined the rest of Africa in commemorating the Day of the African Child with a call to protect children from all forms of abuse.
The Day of the African Child is commemorated every year on June 16.
Justice for Children in partnership with other child rights organisations commemorated the Day of the African Child at Provincial level under the theme “Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting All Children’s Rights”.
Children and youths commemorated the Day of the African Child in style beginning with a march in the city centre to Milton Junior Primary School.
Guest of honour at the commemorations, the Provincial Officer in the Department of Child Welfare and Protection Services, Mr Christopher Chibisa, said children were an integral part of the community and needed to be protected.
“Children need care and protection, they are the future generation, the adults of tomorrow. My department’s core mandate is child protection,” said Mr Chibisa in a speech read on his behalf by Ms Lynette Gunda, a district officer.
He said children must be protected against sexual and physical abuse, child marriages, child prostitution, child labour and child migration.
Junior Parliament Minister of Finance, Mr Ayanda Nyathi, commended President Mugabe for championing child rights.“Zimbabwe is one of the leading countries in Africa in terms of children’s rights protection as it has made significant inroads in the fight against abuse, inequality, exclusion and segregation,” said Mr Nyathi.“The Zimbabwe government under the stewardship of his Excellency President Mugabe is committed to the protection of all children’s rights and delivering quality services to us as we’re ‘Game changers of today and the leaders of tomorrow”.
Meanwhile, President Mugabe will today officially open the 24th session of the Junior Parliament where a new cabinet will be sworn in.
The junior Parliament elections were conducted on Wednesday and the incoming president and cabinet will be unveiled today.
Presenting a Ministerial statement in Parliament on Wednesday, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Cde Patrick Zhuwao said on the day, the youths would also commemorate the Day of the African Child. “His excellency, President R. G. Mugabe will be the guest of honour at the Official Opening of the 24th Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe at the Harare City Sports Centre,” said Cde Zhuwao.
He said Zimbabwe had consistently held sessions of the Junior Parliament since 1992 as part of celebrating the Day of the African Child.
Cde Zhuwao said the theme of the commemorations would be: “Investing in Children and Youth for an Empowered Society and a Growing Economy in order to Prevent Conflict and Crisis and protect all Children’s Rights”.
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