Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika [email protected]
THE inauguration of the 34th Session of the Junior Parliament yesterday provided child parliamentarians with an opportunity to engage senior Cabinet ministers on issues affecting children and to propose solutions to some of the challenges facing their communities.
The issues raised centred on the provision of free sanitary wear in schools, particularly in rural areas, the construction of ablution facilities that cater for children with disabilities, and the drilling of boreholes to ensure access to potable water.
The session was held under the theme: “Ensuring universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for every child in Africa.”
In his remarks, Child President Tinashe Mugodhi said the theme was both a reminder and a call to action.
“Access to clean water, safe sanitation and proper hygiene is a basic human right and a foundation for dignity, health and education,” he said.
“As Junior MPs, we must champion practical community-based solutions that ensure our schools are equipped with safe potable water points, adequate and inclusive sanitation facilities, and that hygiene education becomes part of everyday life,” he said.
Muzarabani child legislator Carl Muchenje said schools in the district faced shortages of clean water and adequate sanitation facilities.
“We have a challenge of proper sanitation facilities and a shortage of safe drinking water in some of our schools,” he said.
Another child parliamentarian, Charity Chanda, said it was important for Government to prioritise children with special needs.
“There is a need for Government to take into account children with special needs. This includes the provision of assistive devices to support them,” she said.
Leona Nicole said some female learners, especially in rural areas, were missing school because they could not afford sanitary wear.
“Government should ensure that there is free sanitary wear in schools, especially reusable pads,” she said.
Responding to the concerns, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said Government was working to improve health, water and sanitation services in communities.
“Through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Government is working to ensure adequate health, water and sanitation facilities in our communities,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora said some of the measures being implemented included the recruitment of community and village health workers, as well as the ongoing construction of clinics across the country.
He added that besides constructing clinics, Government was also drilling boreholes at health facilities where possible.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said Government would continue mobilising resources for water and sanitation infrastructure.
“We have the devolution funds and the Constituency Development Fund, which also go towards the provision of health facilities and clean water,” he said.
Prof Ncube added that Government was also assisting local authorities to acquire borehole drilling machines to improve access to safe water.
Bongani Ndlovu