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SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN THE SADC REGION DURING COVID

INTRODUCTION

Meaningful child participation and inclusivity remained one of the concepts that CRNSA and its members knew, conversed but were not practically implementable because of the context – as many SADC member states view children as minors who cannot make sound decisions or contribute much to decisions being made as well as needing more guidance. However, COVID-19 lock down and restrictions on movements facilitated more conversations to take place at family level as families spent more time together and had to talk- it is on this basis that CRNSA supported by Tdh Germany also harnessed on the prevailing circumstances to have more discussions with children and ensure that we listen to them with less adults participating in these meetings save for chaperons and CRNSA secretariat. From the meetings held; that saw us reaching 225 children and other 12,621 people through online engagements; proved to be a learning curve for CRNSA as there was so much to learn around mental health for children – what school closure meant they can’t play or talk to friends who understand them; child abuse- both emotional, physical and sexual perpetrated by family members, relatives and friends; food security – not enough to eat in households; safe and appropriate accommodation – without sharing rooms with parents who then engage in adult activities thinking that children are sleeping. Below are some of the stories documented that we aim to profile in engaging with both duty bearers and rights holders.

BACKGROUND: ‘DIFFERENTIATED RECOGINITION AND INCLUSIVITY – THE SOLUTION TO APPRECIATION OF DIVERSITY WITHIN CHILDREN AS A COHORT’ KABERA’S STORY IN LESOTHO

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen, my name is kabera Munya I am 10 years old I was first diagnosed with diabetes when I was 8 years old, I am a T 1 G patient, I use insulin and my life depends on it, this is my story during this time of COVID-19. 

I ran out of insulin and when I went to the hospital to get it the nurses told us to go back because they didn’t have protective clothing and couldn’t help us. We had no option but to buy at the pharmacy, what about children without parents, only God knows. Police got us many times on the way and we had to explain ourselves every time. It’s so embarrassing when you are sick. Another problem was when I had to go to the hospital for my monthly check up where they drew blood for more tests, the lines at the hospital were too long, we arrived at 5 in the morning and left the hospital at 4pm. It was a bad experience, I was hungry, tired, frustrated and I wanted to go back home and leave my insulin behind but I knew I was going to die without it.

The government to supply insulin to school clinics and where there are no clinics at school, provide mobile clinics with insulin, provide not only insulin but also test tubes, lancets and alcohol subs. The glucose is expensive but at least it can save.

We need counselling at school for diabetes and other experiences. Let every African know about diabetes. Today people know about HIV and COVID-19, we are diabetic and nobody is saying anything about us. Hear us, we also need help hear us we are suffering, Diabetes is a killer disease, Africa must rise and help us.

1st of December every year world Aids Day is celebrated; do you know anything about the 14th of November? 14th of November is World Diabetes Day; we need that day to be celebrated for the sake of children. Thank You”

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