News / National
'Great strides in children's rights'
19 Jun 2016 at 12:14hrs | Views
Zimbabwe has made great strides in protecting children's rights with the inclusion of young people's interests in the new Constitution, Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.
At the opening of the 24th Session of the Junior Parliament in Harare yesterday, VP Mnangagwa said: "The adoption of a people-driven Constitution in 2013 was a milestone achievement in the struggle for children's rights.
"The Government and the people of Zimbabwe have been commended for this historic development, which saw, for the first time, after more than 30 years of Independence, a Constitution enacted with progressive provisions to safeguard and promote rights of children in line with international standards.
"Unlike the previous Constitution, children's rights are clearly provided for in the supreme law of the land. Chapter 4 of the Constitution is very comprehensive, and it provides all three generations of rights from civil-political to socio-economic and cultural rights and the emerging right to development. These rights are justifiable in a court of law by virtue of them being provided for under the Bill of Rights." Newly-elected Child President Tinaye Mbavari spoke against child marriages. She also advocated for more sessions of the Children's Parliament to keep young people's concerns under the spotlight.
"Many children lose an opportunity to make choices regarding their lives. The war against child marriages must not end. Every child deserves his/her childhood. Let us not take it away," she said.
Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwawo said Government had finalised the Youth Empowerment Strategy, whose implementation begins soon. He said Government was actively pursuing additional measures to empower young people.
At the opening of the 24th Session of the Junior Parliament in Harare yesterday, VP Mnangagwa said: "The adoption of a people-driven Constitution in 2013 was a milestone achievement in the struggle for children's rights.
"The Government and the people of Zimbabwe have been commended for this historic development, which saw, for the first time, after more than 30 years of Independence, a Constitution enacted with progressive provisions to safeguard and promote rights of children in line with international standards.
"Unlike the previous Constitution, children's rights are clearly provided for in the supreme law of the land. Chapter 4 of the Constitution is very comprehensive, and it provides all three generations of rights from civil-political to socio-economic and cultural rights and the emerging right to development. These rights are justifiable in a court of law by virtue of them being provided for under the Bill of Rights." Newly-elected Child President Tinaye Mbavari spoke against child marriages. She also advocated for more sessions of the Children's Parliament to keep young people's concerns under the spotlight.
"Many children lose an opportunity to make choices regarding their lives. The war against child marriages must not end. Every child deserves his/her childhood. Let us not take it away," she said.
Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwawo said Government had finalised the Youth Empowerment Strategy, whose implementation begins soon. He said Government was actively pursuing additional measures to empower young people.
Source - sundaymail
