Minister of Youth and Sport Vincent Mwale says “Young people are a very important resource in sustainable socio-economic development. Therefore, my Ministry in collaboration with other ministries and stakeholders will scale-up a campaign against forced and child marriages. This will guarantee the survival, protection and development of children to enable them effectively participate in national affairs,” GOVERNMENT has devised measures to enhance the enforcement of child protection laws which will advocate for the prosecution of parents sending their children to beg or work on the streets.
Minister of Youth and Sport Vincent Mwale said laws were being put in place to prosecute parents who send their children to ask for alms on the street.
Mr Mwale said the project would start in 2016 and would be a move meant to scale up interventions of street children programs.
“In order to realize the objectives of the our programme, the Ministry of Youth and Sport will next year intensify sensitization campaigns aimed at discouraging citizens against giving alms to children on the streets,” he said.
Mr Mwale explained that donors and well-wishers will rather be encouraged to channel their donations to institutions and homes that take care of vulnerable children.
He noted that the Ministry will partner with other ministries to undertake a number of interventions meant to remove children from the streets and place them in institutions of care.
Mr Mwale added that other measures will be re-integration of street children with their families and communities, economic empowerment of families where orphaned and vulnerable children come from through entrepreneurship training and start-up capital.
He also said young people are an important resource to the country and need to be protected so that they can effectively participate in national affairs.
“Young people are a very important resource in sustainable socio-economic development. Therefore, my Ministry in collaboration with other ministries and stakeholders will scale-up a campaign against forced and child marriages. This will guarantee the survival, protection and development of children to enable them effectively participate in national affairs,” he said.
Mr Mwale said the ministry of Youth, Sport will address persistent issues using the National Child Policy which include child marriages, recreation and sport, children and disabilities, and birth registration.
Zambia being a signatory to major Children conventions, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, is under obligation to ensure that the treaties are domesticated.
Govt to step up child protection laws
