Child rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential. Such as rights to basic needs for foods, health care, education and many more. In its effort to further promote and advocate for child protection, Ungweru Organisation with the help of team Catseye has been establishing Child Protection Committees (CPCs) in communities.
Children in communities and community members will report to the CPCs cases of child abuse; these could be cases of violation of a child right by not sending a child to school, not giving a child enough food or forcing a child into marriage. The CPC’s will help to ensure children have the right protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
Team Catseye aims at setting up 5 CPCs before the end of the placement and have managed to set up two so far in Maona Ngwira and Luwinga Viyere Communities. In Maona Ngwira during the gathering where the election was taking place, people were briefed on child rights, child abuse, and how to protect a child before selecting a committee in the area. They also exchanged knowledge through learning and sharing about child rights. This included having a better understanding on rights such as constructive child rearing behaviour, acknowledgement of the evolving capacities of children and many more.
Village headman Mponda thanked the team for deciding to set up a CPC in the community and for widening their knowledge on child rights. “We now have a better understanding of child rights and will work towards ensuring a bright future for our children since the Child Protection Committees will help the community in the fight against violation of child rights.”
One thing is for sure, CPCs will help encourage communities to provide children with basic needs in order for a child to survive.
Mwana wa vikililike, Child Protection!
Written by Zamiwe Chisi
