The government and UNICEF have met to review and discuss child protection issues, with a collective resolve to prioritize investments in more solid and integrated child protection systems.
Speaking during the GRZ/UNICEF child protection annual review and planning meeting, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary, Ms. Angela Kawandami said Zambia pledges to accelerate action to end violence against children as proclaimed during the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogota, Colombia.
She observed that, with children in Zambia making up 53% of the total population, of which 15.6% are below 5 years, 13.7% are orphaned and 60% living in the rural areas, establishing strong child protection systems that connect children to vital social services and fair justice systems from birth is therefore critical and a necessary tool to address vulnerabilities.
She said children continue to experience violence in a wide variety of settings, ranging from home and school to institutions and the judicial system and are exposed to different types of violence, which includes physical, emotional, sexual or neglect resulting in lower education attainment, health and social problems across their lives.
Ms. Kawandami therefore said government will accelerate the implementation of the Children’s Code Act No. 12 Of 2022 by ensuring that statutory instruments and court rules are approved by cabinet and support their application by all stakeholders working to protect the children.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that government is developing a minimum package of service for child protection that will standardize childcare and protection of children across the country and also reviewing the National Child Policy of 2015 to align it to new and emerging changes in the child protection sector.
And UNICEF Deputy Representative, Dr Nejmudin Kedir Bilal has appreciated Zambia’s dedication to ending violence against children, and to building momentum towards a safer environment for every child as evidenced by the full implementation of the Children’s Code Act which he described as a critical milestone.
“We have made significant strides in strengthening Zambia’s child protection system, but the road ahead remains long. It will require continued collaboration, dedication, and investment to ensure that every child in Zambia is safe, protected, and able to thrive”, Dr Bilal said.
He assured that UNICEF remains fully committed to supporting Zambia in further enhancing child protection and advancing the rights of children.
