News / National
UNICEF urges protection of Zimbabwe children during votes
10 Mar 2013 at 03:11hrs | Views
The United Nations' Children and Educational Fund (Unicef) Executive Director, Mr Anthony Lake has urged Zimbabweans to protect children at the time of the constitutional referendum set for next week and elections whose dates are yet to be announced.
The elections are, however, expected this year.
Mr Lake who was speaking at the end of a two day visit to the country wished Zimbabweans a peaceful election, saying it was everybody's duty to ensure that children and women suffered no violence and disruption to their lives during the two national events.
"At times of great uncertainty, such as during an election, it is important that homes, communities, and schools continue to be havens of safety for children," he said, "and that they have uninterrupted access to basic social services. Children are not political and should be sheltered, in all countries, from political turbulence."
During the visit, Mr. Lake met with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicholas Goche, and welcomed their assurances on the protection of children.
He also visited St. Joseph's rural health clinic and St. Vincent Primary School which have received medicines and textbooks respectively through a donor-supported funding mechanism managed by Unicef.
A 12 years old boy Christpowers Maisiri in Headlands recently died in an inferno when the hut he was sleeping in was burnt down.
Police have said there was no foul play in the death of the boy but MDC-T Secretary General Tendai Biti has accused Zanu PF's Didymus Mutasa of having a hand in the death of the boy.
The MDC-T is convinced the burning of the house was an act of political violence by the former ruling party.
The elections are, however, expected this year.
Mr Lake who was speaking at the end of a two day visit to the country wished Zimbabweans a peaceful election, saying it was everybody's duty to ensure that children and women suffered no violence and disruption to their lives during the two national events.
"At times of great uncertainty, such as during an election, it is important that homes, communities, and schools continue to be havens of safety for children," he said, "and that they have uninterrupted access to basic social services. Children are not political and should be sheltered, in all countries, from political turbulence."
He also visited St. Joseph's rural health clinic and St. Vincent Primary School which have received medicines and textbooks respectively through a donor-supported funding mechanism managed by Unicef.
A 12 years old boy Christpowers Maisiri in Headlands recently died in an inferno when the hut he was sleeping in was burnt down.
Police have said there was no foul play in the death of the boy but MDC-T Secretary General Tendai Biti has accused Zanu PF's Didymus Mutasa of having a hand in the death of the boy.
The MDC-T is convinced the burning of the house was an act of political violence by the former ruling party.
Source - unicef
