Representatives of children’s parliament at Traditional Authority Simphasi in Mchinji District have singled out forced child marriages, lack of adequate learning materials and shortage of teachers in schools as some of the factors affecting their education.
Speaking during the deliberation of the community’ s children parliament, the representatives highlighted some challenges affecting their welfare such in adequate health centres, child labour and inadequate schools that needs to be addressed.
Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Thamison Fatsani, said they wanted the government and stakeholders to help address the challenges urgently for their goals to be achieved.
Deputy Director of Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Justin Hamela, emphasised the importance of the children’s parliament as it is providing a platform for children to express their challenges and participate in decision making the ministry is advocating.
“As a ministry we are very happy to see that children are able to voice out their challenges that needs to be addressed and we will make sure that all stakeholders are involved in tackling the challenges they have addressed.”
Save the Children’s Senior Technical Advisor for Child Rights Governance, Donnex Bengo, expressed their commitment in making sure that the motions discussed in the parliament are realised.
By Trinity Kaphamtengo, Mchinji
