Organisations representing children with disabilities yesterday bemoaned the lack of legal instruments to protect children.
Speaking ahead of celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child, Prince Chikafa, a spokesperson for the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango), said children needed protection in the Constitution and from the media.
The Constitution does not really empower the disabled children, Chikafa said.
They are not fully involved in important processes such as governance. They should also be encouraged to contest in the posts of junior mayors such that they are motivated just like some other children.
Chikafa said journalists must give children a platform to air out their views and not to portray them as victims all the time.
Brian Mangwende, the chairman of the Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (Zinef), said the media had a role in protecting the rights of children. It is a sad scenario which needs our immediate attention, he said.
We are currently working on addressing the issue as Zinef, but this should not be a Zinef concern alone, it should touch the hearts and souls of all journalists.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart said his ministry was working towards the provision of better education facilities for children living with disabilities.
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We announced an inclusive policy to encourage all schools to educate disabled children and to develop many schools which are accessible to disabled children, he said.
We have also planned an initiative to train teachers on necessary skills to handle the disabled.
Coltart said government was working with Unicef to avail textbooks for primary and secondary schools, a programme that would also benefit those living with disabilities.
The Day of the African Child is celebrated on June 16 every year to honour children killed during 1976 Soweto uprising in apartheid South Africa.
