News / National
Zim govt to address the problem of street kids
16 Jun 2011 at 04:58hrs | Views
Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere says as the nation marks the Day of the African Child, the government has undertaken to fully address the problem of street kids.
The 16th of June marks the Day of the African Child and Zimbabwe will join the continent to commemorate this historic day.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of this year's commemorations that are being held under the theme, 'All together for urgent actions in favour of street children,' in Harare, Minister Kasukuwere said the issue of streets kids is an urgent matter that needs a permanent solution.
"We need a solution to the issue of street kids. We are engaged with the Ministry of Social Services to see if these people can be housed in homes," said Kasukuwere.
Some of the children on the streets have no parents as the country has over 1,6 million orphaned children.
UNICEF country representative, Dr Peter Salama urged the country to address the issue of children under the age of five as they are dying of curable diseases.
"This year we focusing on streets kids and Zimbabwe has 1,6 million orphaned children, who some of them are on the streets and are dying of diseases that are curable," Dr Salama said.
The Day of the African Child has been commemorated in Africa since 1990 in memory of the 176 children, who died in Soweto in 1976 after the apartheid regime opened fire on students who were demonstrating against the oppressive regime's policies.
The 16th of June marks the Day of the African Child and Zimbabwe will join the continent to commemorate this historic day.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of this year's commemorations that are being held under the theme, 'All together for urgent actions in favour of street children,' in Harare, Minister Kasukuwere said the issue of streets kids is an urgent matter that needs a permanent solution.
"We need a solution to the issue of street kids. We are engaged with the Ministry of Social Services to see if these people can be housed in homes," said Kasukuwere.
UNICEF country representative, Dr Peter Salama urged the country to address the issue of children under the age of five as they are dying of curable diseases.
"This year we focusing on streets kids and Zimbabwe has 1,6 million orphaned children, who some of them are on the streets and are dying of diseases that are curable," Dr Salama said.
The Day of the African Child has been commemorated in Africa since 1990 in memory of the 176 children, who died in Soweto in 1976 after the apartheid regime opened fire on students who were demonstrating against the oppressive regime's policies.
Source - Ziana
