BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED child rights lobby group, Children’s Performing Arts Workshop (Chipawo) has called for an end to child ritual killings and urged authorities to ensure their safety.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style ahead of yesterday’s commemorations of the Day of the African Child, Chipawo manager Chipo Basopo said there was urgent need for stakeholder intervention to stop child ritual killings.
The Day of the African Child is commemorated annually on June 16 since the brutal killing of schoolchildren during an anti-apartheid protest in Soweto, South Africa, in 1976.
“There are a lot of issues happening in the country regarding children. They are being murdered for ritual purposes and made to disappear. This has given parents a lot of fear on what is next for their children. It is like counting who is next,” she said.
“Chipawo children and other young people have taken the Day of the African Child to raise awareness on child brutality. The law needs to take its course.
“The voices of the innocent children need to be heard. That is why the children have prepared this event online for parents, family, friends and Zimbabwe to join hands and put a stop to child brutality.”
Basopo called on all Zimbabweans to come together to ensure the safety of children.
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“The main focus for this year is a call by Zimbabwean children on issues that are affecting them, especially on child brutality #TisiyeiTikure #Letmebreathe #Ideservetolive are some of the hash tags being used,” she said.
Basopo said they had partnered with SAY WHAT Zimbabwe, FACET, EARGROUND, Jibilika Trust, Elysium Magna, The Jesus Project and The Gifted Steppers from Nigeria, to come up with solid performances of music and dance as part of the celebrations.
“The children and young people will raise awareness on this Day of the African Child through productions such as The Tears of the Zimbabwean Child, Look Out, Broken and awareness songs from The Jesus Project titled Speak Out and How Do You Feel,” she said.
“The day also celebrates Africa’s agenda for children 2040, fostering an Africa fit for children with 10 aspirations. We hope and believe as the African Child the day will bring in hope and that Zimbabwe will be able to implement the aspirations and our Zimbabwe children will live a better life.”
The event was held virtually and featured on EARGROUNG, CHIPAWO WORLD and SAYWHAT Facebook pages.
- Follow Winstone on Twitter @widzoanto
