FAITH MADZINGA
A socio-economic justice coalition says organisations have to combine forces to fight child abuse.
The call by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) comes at a time when about a third children between the ages of five to 17 are experiencing child labour due to poverty, child marriage and lack of help from many organisations that deal with children rights.
Policy advocacy remains the first tier antidote to child labour.
“What has failed is the solo approach where organisations go it alone. A coalition of many organisations that deal with child rights must be formed and effectively speak with one voice,” said ZIMCODD Communications and campaigns specialist Taurai Mafundikwa.
He said in policy networks and communities, coalitions facilitate the amplification of issues, which culminates in the transmutation of issues from the attentive public to the sub-government.
“Influencing policy requires a concerted effort,” Mafundikwa said.
He said the government has a fiduciary responsibility to provide social protection services such as harmonised cash transfers, food distribution, basic education assistant module, health assistance programme, among other issues meant to address the agony and plight of children.
He said social spending should increase at the same time mismanagement of public resources should be curbed to harness resources and utilise them towards the vulnerable children.
He said government must intervene and ensure that punitive measures were put in place to deal with child abuse.
ZIMCODD is raising awareness campaigns.
