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Sunday News Reporter
THE shocking surge of Zimbabwean criminal cases recorded in the media involving child abuse present a challenge to all relevant stakeholders including the Zimbabwean education sector to pro-actively pursue the noble dream of the International Day of the African Child 2017 Theme:
“Accelerating protection, empowerment and equal opportunities for children in Africa by 2030”.
A significant number of children in the country battle beyond quality education. They persevere through dangers related to child molestation, sexually transmitted infections, child trafficking, teenage pregnancies, gender inequality, child marriages, insecurity and fear of failure. Such adversities need to be urgently and appropriately addressed by all concerned or ‘‘the 2030, agenda for sustainable development for the African child’’ is bound to wind up as a failed rhetoric.
Foundation College in its effort to contribute positively towards this worthy cause recently commemorated the Day of the African Child by hosting a DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, Aids free, Mentored, Safe) seminar at its city campus.
The occasion was attended by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s Bulawayo Central District Lifelong Co-ordinator Ms Stella Bafana, Guidance and Counselling Co-ordinator Ms Joana Gwizi, Police Department’s victim Friendly Unit Sergeant Prince Ndlovu and Constable Sikhangezile Ncube, Foundation College and invited city colleges’ staff members and students.
A vibrant student inter-club advocacy discussion touched on pertinent topics that concern the empowerment, protection and promotion of equality of African children. Issues of child abuse and their concomitant social ills such as rape, sodomy, incest, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, child marriages, gender-based violence as well as preventive measures like procedures to report abuse cases, HIV testing and its reduction, girls’ and women’s rights, and safety precautions against child molesters were incisively articulated.
Crispen Nyathi presented the seminar’s ice-breaker by quizzing his peers about the definition of the term DREAMS. It dawned to participants that the youth as the vanguard of Africa’s development ought to be assertive and tenacious in all empowerment programmes that protect and promote their safety from potentially destructive barriers like child abuse that can hinder their sustainable development.
On presenting types of child abuses and their effects, Nompilo Lusinga said, “For decades child abuse has ruined innocent lives of African children. It is time that we put an end to this albatross through attaining relevant knowledge and skills from our peer counsellors and mentors so as to ensure that we are masters of our destiny. Let’s voice our concerns through Child Parliament, our teachers, the police, parents as well as any supporting agencies like Childline, Youth Helpline. No more untold suffering.”
Mirinda Chibanga enumerated some of the reasons behind the escalation of HIV infection and the marginalisation of the youth particularly the girl child.
“The majority of poor African children experience child labour. There is a high rate of school drop-outs of children between 13 -17 years due to poverty and peer pressure. This leads inadvertently to child prostitution for girl children. Sexual exploitation of children often manifests itself in the peddling of innocent children by child traffickers for purposes of illicit adoption, child forced labour and sex slaves. Sadly, these nefarious and inhumane practices are responsible for the rise in HIV infection and retrogression of the African youth and consequently the continent at large. We are grateful of the Government’s intervention strategies by formulating harsh laws that seek to protect us from child molesters and sex predators,” said Mirinda.
Sifiso Nare gave a nexus between enterprise and the girl child’s emancipation from the clutches of male domination both domestically and at work. He implored his girl counterparts to pursue careers that were hitherto male dominated like engineering, aviation, medicine and business venture ownership and frown at overtures of ‘‘Blessers’’ and their seductive gifts.
“There is a need to raise a vibrant youth pure to man and God and not the promotion of sex maniacs. Girls should be prosperous on merit, not on charity,’’ said Sifiso.
Seargent Prince Ndlovu encouraged students to report child abuse cases of fellow students, neighbours and relatives to the police. He narrated the convenience of his department.
“Child abuse victims are interviewed in the presence of their parents or guardians, in the case of minors in a friendly environment. Similarly their court session is conducted privately to enable victims to speak freely without undue pressure of a crowded court room,” he said.
He encouraged students to use police suggestion boxes and their toll free hot lines (999/0776097122, WhatsApp/110 NetOne) to give truthful anonymous reports.
Online Reporter