Canada,TRM fastens belts to empower the African Child.
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Canada,TRM fastens belts to empower the African Child.
Canada,TRM fastens belts to empower the African Child.
Empowering the African Child.
The Embassy of Canada to Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Botswana His Excellency Adler Aristilde recently pledged maximum support to the empowerment of the African Child through education and gender equality.
He recently said this during the commemoration of the Day of the African Child which was organised by a young people led movement Teen Rescue Mission in Chitungwiza under the theme "Education for Empowerment:Youth Skills for a Brighter Future".
The event was also attended by UN Women ,Chitungwiza Municipality,young people and parents.
In his address,Ambassador Adler Aristilde expressed that dealing with issues of drug abuse,inequalities,youth crime and early pregnancy in Zimbabwe demands a collective approach where everyone sets to create an inclusive environment for the children as a goal.
"Although the government of Zimbabwe has introduced commendable legislative and policy measures to prevent child marriage,cases of early marriage and teenage pregnancy continue to be recorded at very high numbers.Many survivors face significant challenges while most perpetrators face no consequences.
"Early marriage and teen pregnancy are not issues for girls to overcome,they are societal challenges driven by gender inequality and it is up to,not just governments,but all of us to contribute to tackling.
"A few weeks ago,i felt sad reading a disturbing news report highlighting-according to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education data-that 3433 girls were forced out of school last year because of early marriages and adolescent pregnancies.We need to do more collectively on this issue because early child and forced marriage has far reaching consequences.It denies girls their childhood,disrupts their access to education,jeopardizes their health,and makes them vulnerable to violence and a life of hardship," he said
Speaking at the same occasion UN Women Deputy Country Representative Dr. Loveness Makonese expressed the need for African countries to invest in education saying that education and skills are a cornerstone for youth empowerment.
"Today's theme resonates with the theme set out by the African Union which speaks about Planning and budgeting for children's rights:progress since 2010,at the heart of this investment lies a simple truth:when we empower children,we secure the future of our continent.And when we empower girls equally,we accelerate progress for all.
"Education is the cornerstone of this empowerment.It is through quality education and skills development that young people gain the tools to shape their destinies,break cycles of poverty,and become agents of change in their communities.Yet,too many girls still face barriers-poverty,early marriage,gender-based violence and discriminatory norms-that keep them out of school and out of opportunity.We must do better!We must do more!,said Makonese
Teen Rescue Mission Director Abraham Matuka vowed their organisation's long standing commitment to ending teenage pregnancy,drug abuse and youth crime through their youth-tailored empowerment initiatives.
"As TRM we remain steadfast to empower our young people so that they can realise their full potential.That is why we are offering skills such as motor mechanics,dressmaking,poultry rearing and baking so that they can go and earn a living on their own.
"To the societies as we are celebrating the African Child i say,let us create a supportive and a conducive environment that allows our young people to flourish,"said Matuka
Meanwhile the Junior Town Clerk of Chitungwiza Junior Council Arthur Bvukumbwe testified the positive impact that TRM initiatives through working with partners has brought to the community of Chitungwiza.
"As young people we recognize the impact of TRM's programs in Chitungwiza and beyond,which have brought visible change to the lives of many youths.Instead of them being trapped in cycles of drug abuse,idleness and early pregnancy they are now engaged in school ,skills training and community service.TRM is building communities,"he said
This year's Day of the African Child (DAC) was commemorated on June 16 under the theme "Planning and Budgeting for Children's Rights:Progress since 2010".
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