Increase funding for children's needs, govt urged
OUTGOING United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef ) resident representative, Tajudeen Oyewale says government should increase funding to fully address children's needs.
Oyewale, who was bidding farewell to the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, however, also commended Zimbabwe's achievements in child justice, education and child participation.
Said Oyewale: “You may be aware that Zimbabwe, together with some countries in the southern region, that's Botswana, Namibia and Zambia, always come together to celebrate World Children's Day and this year in particular, Zimbabwe will be hosting that joint effort.
“We see this as a unique opportunity for Zimbabwe, but also for the Parliament of Zimbabwe to be part of this celebration for and with our children.
“That's an opportunity for us, as Unicef, to work with and for children to put forward some issues that affect them and look into what else and how we can further improve the engagement of children and their participation in policy and decision-making in areas that concern them.”
Oyewale stressed the importance of prioritising children in budget allocation.
“We did ask the Speaker to also look into options where we could bring in more private sector partners to work with the Primary and Secondary Education ministry in that regard,” he said.
“I did make a case to the Speaker that as Unicef and on behalf of the children of Zimbabwe, additional budget allocation will always be good for children.
“We note that things have increased slowly and gradually in many sectors, especially in education, but we will always want to have more for children. And he did give us assurance that this is also very important for him and in working with his colleagues and in the Parliament, they will continually make children a priority,” he said.
Oyewale applauded Zimbabwe's child-friendly courts and police units, for being models for quick resolution of child abuse cases.
He attributed these successes to dedicated efforts and partnerships between Unicef, the Justice and the Judicial Service Commission ministry.
“Zimbabwe is proud, and I'm very proud to say that Zimbabwe has one of the best child justice administration systems from the laws that the Parliament passed, to the partnership with the Ministry of Justice and the judicial Services Commission, where we do have a childfriendly court, we have child-friendly units in the police, and we do see them work. We have also seen quick resolution of abuses towards children, and these things don't come by chance,” he added.