In a quest for transformation in the lives of children, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) recently organized a child rights advocacy seminar convened in the walls of Holiday Inn, Harare, Zimbabwe in August which saw the attendance of key partners and stakeholders from the SADC region to deliberate on critical issues affecting children and carve solutions. With the theme-‘Putting Children at the center of the SADC Development Agenda, the discussions centered on prioritizing the needs, rights, and welfare of children in policymaking, planning, and implementation of SADC’s development strategies. Southern African states have ratified the UN Convention on Children’s Rights (UNCHR) as well as the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and further domesticated these instruments showing the commitment of African leaders to protecting and safeguarding children. Despite these efforts, the challenges faced by children in the SADC region persist as there are still children who: live and work on the streets, are ensnared in child marriages, walk long distances to access the nearest school, with no form of identity, suffer abuse with impunity and cannot access information and technology. The seminar discussions focused on various vulnerable children emphasizing the necessity of prioritising marginalised children in development agendas.
In his keynote statements, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education in Zimbabwe Dr. Torerai Moyo addressed the critical issue of children who are not enrolled in school citing an estimation of 500,000 children that are currently out of school. The figures are similarly staggering for other countries in the region. He highlighted initiatives such as the Basic Education Assistant Module (BEAM) which is geared towards supporting the most vulnerable as well as the policy Circular Number P35 which focuses explicitly on promoting gender equality and empowering girls through ECD and Education within the SADC Region.
Quality Early Childhood Development programs lay the foundation for future learning and well-being, making them essential for longterm development goals. In several member states, enrolment rates in preprimary education are relatively low, especially in remote communities and many schools remain under resourced which results in poor educational outcomes. Moreover, the curriculum in many countries does not adequately address the needs of all children, particularly those with disabilities or from marginalized communities. Panelists from Campaign For Female Education (CAMFED) and Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe Chapter (FAWEZI) stressed the urgency for increased funding for ECD for at least 10% of national budgets to be dedicated to ECD initiatives.
ADDRESSING STATELESSNESS OF CHILDREN
UNHCR estimates that at least 4.4 million people worldwide were known to be stateless in 2023 a third of whom are children. In Southern Africa, the World Bank estimates that approximately 150 million people lack legal or national documents. Children born to refugees, migrants, or parents of unknown nationality remain without identity. Stateless children often face barriers to accessing education, healthcare, and other essential services, further entrenching their marginalization. This session, facilitated by Ms. Chauke, pointed out that in a world full of states, there are stateless children hence they become unseen, overlooked unaccounted for, and uncounted for. Participants echoed the need for urgent legal reforms and universal birth registration to prevent statelessness.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND CHILDREN
The seminar also examined the enormous effects of environmental degradation on children. In the SADC region where issues of climate change are prevalent, children feel and bear the consequences it poses. Referencing UNCRC General Comment No.26, which provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the environmental challenges that disproportionately affect children, emphasizing the need for child-centric policies and actions, panelists emphasized the call for integration of environmental education in school curricula thereby, empowering children to advocate for their rights in the context of climate change. They also advocated for the general comment to be incorporated into national and regional strategies of SADC countries to better protect children’s rights and promote a sustainable future for all.
ERADICATING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Deep-rooted in patriarchy, culture, conflict, and social vices, child sexual abuse exists in the SADC region that negatively affects the psycho-social and physical well being of children hence depriving them of fully participating in society. There are gaps in evidence based data that show the pervasiveness of child sexual abuse in the region. Participants called for developing robust legal frameworks and improved inter and multisectoral approaches to support survivors. They also appealed for enhanced accountability mechanisms for the prevention and reporting of child sexual abuse.
The seminar concluded with a call for the adoption of the SADC protocol on children. This protocol provides a framework for promoting and protecting children’s rights within the region and can help to ensure that children are at the Centre of SADC’s development agenda.
Key recommendations include
- Investing in early childhood development programs
- Providing access to quality education for all children
- Addressing the issue of statelessness within the SADC region
- Strengthening laws and policies to protect children from sexual abuse
- Adopting and ratifying SADC protocol on children
By adopting these recommendations and effectively implementing them, stakeholders can build a future where children in the region are armed with the opportunity to excel.
