adminTanaka Mahanya
GOVERNMENT has been hailed for its child protection interventions and provision of learner welfare programme.
Speaking at the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence launch, Women and Law in Southern Africa programmes coordinator, Patricia Muganhiri, said the Government was continuously striving to enhance resourcing of the child protection services.
“The Government is funding many child protection programmes such as tuition grants, provision of sanitary wear in schools, school feeding programmes and the learner welfare programme.
“Investing in child protection at this juncture is smart economics.
“Children subjected to violence, exploitation and abuse are at increased risk of poor physical and psychological health, often perform poorly in school and are more likely to be a drag to the socio-economic development of the country,” she said.
She said as stated in the National Development Strategy 1, the Government must continuously strive to enhance resourcing of child rights.
“Zimbabwe has a significantly developed child protection legal and institutional framework, including through the Zimbabwe Constitution Amendment (No.20) Act and the Children’s Act.
“However, there is a need to strengthen the implementation of the mentioned instruments to ensure that children are adequately protected from abuse.”
She added:
“The country’s National Case Management System must continuously strive to ensure children, who experience violence, abuse and exploitation get access to comprehensive and quality protection and welfare services.”
Online Reporter