US$5.8m boost for fight against child exploitation

Tanaka Mahanya

SWEDEN’S Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Asa Pehrson, has announced they will fund initiatives aimed at addressing child protection in this country with an US$5.8 million grant.

The Swedes will be contributing to UNICEF’s country programme for 2022-2026.

The funding will go towards implementing the Zimbabwe Child Protection Programme III, which aims to offer child protection services.

It concentrates on issues such as child violence, child abuse, child trafficking, child marriages, teenage pregnancies, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, birth registration, and children in conflict with the law.

Sweden has supported the Zimbabwean social sector, particularly in education and healthcare, by making unrestricted contributions.

Speaking at Tuesday’s signing ceremony in Harare, Pehrson said they had demonstrated their commitment to child rights with the support they have been giving to the Government, through UNICEF, since 2015.

“Sweden is happy to be in this partnership aimed at advancing the interests of the child where UNICEF, the Government and Sweden, have worked together smoothly over the years.

“Sweden’s unrestricted and flexible generous support has enabled UNICEF to allocate resources where they are most needed for the most vulnerable children, while encouraging innovative programming.

“The funding has enabled UNICEF to quickly deliver essential services for children in the poorest communities across the country,” she said.

She said Sweden’s contribution has over the years helped resuscitate the health, education, child protection and water and sanitation sectors in Zimbabwe

“Sweden holds that whatever the circumstances, all children should enjoy the right to family life and have the right to grow up in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding, where they are nurtured and protected.

“Let me applaud the Zimbabwean Government for putting in place legislation that protects children from harmful practices such as child marriages and putting in place mechanisms aimed at protecting children.”