Children's rights in the spotlight

President Hage Geingob encouraged youth entrepreneurship and provided reassurance of the government&#039;s commitment to caring for disabled individuals. “We cannot deny that the disabled need special skills and have special needs. The government is busy implementing ways to help with employing disabled people in different backgrounds,” Geingob said at a panel discussion hosted as part of the commemoration of World Children&#039;s Day. The president urged children to continue the legacy of African unity and contribute to the continent&#039;s development. “Children, we still have a long way to go until we achieve our goals as a nation. We would like you to start where we ended to extend the development in Africa.”The president of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, and the Zimbabwean vice president, Kembo Mohadi, were also in attendance at the proceedings hosted at Namport in Walvis Bay. The presence of these leaders symbolized a united effort for children&#039;s rights. Mohadi talked about education and safety systems and revealed a course training for police officers dealing with child-friendly offenders. This aligns with the recently enacted Code Act, No. 12 of 2022, consolidating laws for children&#039;s welfare.Four children from the respective countries handed over a call to action to the heads of state, symbolizing a collective commitment to child welfare. Johanna Benson, the Namibian Paralympic gold medalist, passed on the World Children’s Day Torch of Hope to president Hage Geingob. He then handed it to Zimbabwean president Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who passed it on to child president Neville Tawananyasha Mavu of Zimbabwe. Singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, accompanied by the children from the Walvis Bay Sunshine Centre Choir - a school dedicated to children with disabilities - added a heartwarming touch to the event. VoicesAllen Petrus, a young speaker representing Namibia, urged the government to raise awareness around youth issues and promote inclusivity for disabled children. He commended the government for increasing the grants for disabled people, vulnerable children, and orphans. Petrus also enquired about plans for involving disabled individuals in job opportunities.Twiza Mulwanda, the chairperson of the Kafwe Youth Council of Zambia, put an emphasis on learner involvement in shaping curricula and advocated for free healthcare for all children. He also highlighted the neglect of mental health in schools.Loide Hango, a passionate advocate for people with disabilities and a banking administrative officer at FNB, raised concerns about the disproportionate exclusion of children with disabilities. Hango underscored the need for inclusion and appreciation for children with disabilities stating, “Children with disabilities are most excluded from various worlds, and it is unfair to us. We want to be included, we want to be appreciated.”Doreen Sioka, the Namibian minister of gender equality, poverty eradication, and child welfare, emphasised the importance of respecting elders while Pohamba Phiri (16), a Zambian children&#039;s rights advocate living with a disability, added, “Children are the foundation of our future, our rights and voices must be heard.”The governor of the Erongo region, Neville Andre, emphasised that every child deserves a fair chance to succeed, learn, and thrive. “Together, we can mould a future filled with compassion, understanding, and unity. We must listen to our children’s voices, for they hold insights, ideas, and perspectives that can shape policies for the betterment of our society. Their opinions matter, and their dreams should never be silenced.” World Children&#039;s Day serves as a global platform for celebrating progress in children&#039;s rights and addressing critical issues affecting their lives. The three-day celebrations in Walvis Bay started off with a welcoming dinner for children from Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia at the Walvis Bay Private School hall on 17 November. Day two witnessed a parade that provided a vibrant backdrop for thematic discussions on crucial issues (education systems and children&#039;s rights in respective countries) affecting young lives. A countdown and switching on of symbolic blue lights at Namport, signifying “Going Blue” for every child, brought the proceedings to a fitting conclusion.

Children's rights in the spotlight

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Republikein 2025-06-18

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Children's rights in the spotlight

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