Capitalk Reporter |  9 months ago | top

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has committed to crafting laws that protect children from harmful practices, which include child marriages and drug abuse.

President Mnangagwa said this while officiating at the 30th session of the Junior Parliament held at the City Sports Centre in Harare on Saturday under the theme: "Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy and Practice since 2013.

"We, therefore, celebrate the milestones we have made in advancing children’s aspirations, rights, and welfare while we work concertedly towards finding ways to tackle emerging challenges and gaps that still exist," President Mnangagwa said.

The government commissioned research to interrogate the various socio-cultural and structural practices affecting our children and has now taken up recommendations from the research to inform the formulation and implementation of appropriate and concrete measures to address challenges which may exist across all levels.

"In this regard, we are speedily attending to the amendment of the Children’s Act with regard to outlawing child marriages and providing a second chance to education facility for girls who prematurely leave school. "The amendment further seeks to provide for the criminalization of employment of children, facilitate early family intervention, family preservation programs, as well as the delivery of quality services for children, among others," he added.

President Mnangagwa also said the government was speeding up the Child Justice Bill, which seeks to establish a friendly and effective justice system for children.

"I exhort government ministries and agencies to continue promoting public awareness and engagement programmes that advance the interests of children." President Mnangagwa said the government stands ready to support programmes and projects to ensure that children enjoy "fulfilling lives and broad opportunities."