The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
President Mnangagwa leaves for Zambia today for commemorations to mark the World Children’s Day, which is celebrated on November 20 each year to improve children’s welfare, promote international togetherness and raise awareness among children worldwide.
On November 20, 1959, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
Thirty years later, it also adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Since 1990, on World Children’s Day, the anniversary of both the Declaration and Convention on children’s rights is commemorated.
This year’s celebrations are running under the theme “Inclusion, For Every Child”.
They come at a time when Government has heightened the fight against child abuse, including drug and substance abuse.
Zimbabwe has a comprehensive legislative framework for protecting children against abuse.
Section 81 of the Constitution outlines a Bill of Rights for Children, while laws such as the Marriages Act (Chapter 5:15) outlaw and criminalise child marriage in any form.
The Children’s Act (Chapter 5:06) similarly criminalises neglect and defines parameters of children in need of care.
Currently, the National Assembly is seized with the Children’s Amendment Bill, which is aimed at addressing various gaps to ensure effective implementation of provisions of the Constitution and commitments made to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, among others.
The Children’s Amendment Bill is being jointly considered with the Child Justice Bill, as the two pieces of legislation complement each other in ensuring the comprehensive protection of children.
