News / National
Zimbabwe Children's rights Charter proposed
09 Apr 2011 at 05:03hrs | Views
Children's rights activists have proposed setting up a 'Children's Charter' in line with the existing African Union and United Nations charters.
The Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children met with child parliamentarians and other stakeholders in the capital.
Speaking at the meeting, the National Director of the Council, Mr Taylor Nhete said there is need to draft a children's' rights charter in conformity with the African Union and United Nations Children's Welfare Charters.
The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was adopted in 1990 and came into force on November 29, 2005.
Zimbabwe is among the 45 nations that have ratified the charter and Mr Nhete said that the current consultative forum is meant to raise awareness of the need for the country to have a charter as currently it only has legislation.
A charter is a guiding framework for programmes created by some pieces of legislation.
In July 2001, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was formed to promote and protect the rights of children.
The Committee consists of 11 members and meets twice each year, usually in May and November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Committee reports to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and to the African Union every two years.
Countries which have ratified the Children's Charter must submit initial reports within two years of ratification of the Charter to the Committee of Experts and every three years thereafter.
The Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children met with child parliamentarians and other stakeholders in the capital.
Speaking at the meeting, the National Director of the Council, Mr Taylor Nhete said there is need to draft a children's' rights charter in conformity with the African Union and United Nations Children's Welfare Charters.
The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was adopted in 1990 and came into force on November 29, 2005.
Zimbabwe is among the 45 nations that have ratified the charter and Mr Nhete said that the current consultative forum is meant to raise awareness of the need for the country to have a charter as currently it only has legislation.
A charter is a guiding framework for programmes created by some pieces of legislation.
In July 2001, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was formed to promote and protect the rights of children.
The Committee consists of 11 members and meets twice each year, usually in May and November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Committee reports to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and to the African Union every two years.
Countries which have ratified the Children's Charter must submit initial reports within two years of ratification of the Charter to the Committee of Experts and every three years thereafter.
Source - ZBC
