Advocating for an Africa Fit for Children through Art

Day of the African Child falls on the 16th of June every year. The day comes as an opportunity to raise awareness on the ongoing need to work towards the realisation of the rights of all African Children. This year’s celebrations were held under the theme: “30 Years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for Children.”

Nineteen Junior Members of Parliament from nine districts of Zimbabwe commemorated the Day of the African Child through art, at a conference held in Marondera. The celebrations were jointly organised by Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Zimbabwe Youth Council and Save the Children.

The child parliamentarians drew paintings to depict their wishes for the African Child. Their paint works were all done in line with the theme for the June 16 commemorations for 2021.

“We are taking steps to reach a developed country by 2040. A developed Zimbabwe, which has a strong legal system that safeguards children. Where every child survives and has a healthy Childhood,” said Hon Nyasha Matenhese the Junior MP for Guruve South, while explaining her drawing of an Africa Fit for Children. Access video here.

"Our vision is a Zimbabwe, where every child has access to basic services. Where every child has access to birth registration, and where every girl child is in school,” added Hon Kishah Mundodzi the Hon Junior MP for Mutare South constituency who jointly worked with Honourable Nyasha.

“I have my painting here. There is a policeman here and a person who is being arrested by this policeman. It is in alignment with a Child Sensitive Justice System, so as to enforce laws and protect the children. It is one of the aspirations in Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for Children,” said Hon Comely Matope of Guruve North while explaining his painting.

“We drew an Africa where we are living in. Its unsafe for children. Children are not happy in this Africa. This is what we are aiming for. This is the Africa that we are supposed to have by 2040. It’s an Africa where children are happy, where they are more safe,” said the Junior MP for Guruve South while explaining a drawing that she jointly worked on with fellow Junior MPs from Muzarabani South and Marondera Constituency. Watch video here.

Save the Children and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development took advantage of the June 16 celebrations to brief the child leaders on Child marriage, one of the issues affecting children in Zimbabwe and efforts underway at national level to address child marriages. They emphasised the need for the child leaders to embark on various advocacy initiatives aimed at bringing an end to the practice, that grossly violates child rights.