By Lloyd Takawira
Speaking at high level Parliamentary meeting United Nations resident co-ordinator Maria omes Do Valle Ribeiro said the country’s continued economic problems are putting children at risk and hinder Zimbabwe from achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Ribeiro said “Zimbabwe has ratified key conventions, instruments and protocols on the rights of children and the involvement of children in armed conflict, as well as the International Labour Organisation Convention on the rights of the child,” Ribeiro said.
“However, poverty and economic shocks are putting at risk the achievements by made by Zimbabwe on the rights of children, for example, the impacts on the rights to access to food and nutrition, health and education and to ensure that all children feel protected and safe as this can put them at risk.”
Unicef representative Laylee Moshiri said Zimbabwe signed to SDGs and Agenda 2030, adding that if children’s rights are not improved, the country would be unable to eradicate poverty as most of the 17 SDGs have children at the centre.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda weighed in saying it was important to support the rights of women and children .
“The international community must also come to our aid because we have gone through difficult periods in terms of the effects of drought. Currently, the water levels at Kariba Dam are very low and we are not getting sufficient electricity, which has an impact on our industry and economy in general. The international community and the United Nations must come to our aid in a more forthright manner,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion Child president Mukudzeiishe Madzivire added that the root cause of children’s problems in the country was the exclusionary principle were children are not included in decision-making processes.