African child welfare committee appeals to governments to commit more resources towards children’s rights


* Warning that underfunding and poor spending continue to undermine progress; as Malawi commemorates continental Day of the African Child

* Held at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe under the theme; ‘Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010

By Sheminah Nkhoma, MANA

Chairperson of African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), Wilson Almeida Adao has appealed to African governments to commit more resources towards children’s rights — warning that underfunding and poor spending continue to undermine progress.

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Adao said this today at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe during the commemoration of the continental Day of the African Child that was attended by Vice-President, Michael Usi — observing that many countries do not provide adequate resources for children and when the funds are available they are not fully used or spent prudently.

He further said children in poverty-rural areas, conflict zones and those with disabilities were still being left in projects concerning their plight — thus the theme of the commemoration; ‘Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010’.

A representative of the children, Augustine Bwengela, attested to that the Day of the African Child is important since it gives them a chance to voice out their concerns affecting them and their welfare.

“As children we are calling on government to plan and budget for children’s rights in order to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs),” Bwengela appealed.

On his part, Usi urged African governments to prioritise strategic investments in the welfare of children, emphasising that the continent’s future depends on how well nations plan and budget for children’s rights.

Usi during solidarity parade

Usi added that there is need for continued support to ensure that children’s rights are in the planning and budgeting process of the country in line with the country’s MW2063 vision, which aspires to attain an inclusive, wealthy and resilient nation.

“This event reminds us of our responsibility to protect and promote the rights of African children,” he said. “There are many challenges which the children face either at school or home and it is vital that we should come with detailed solutions.”

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He further said since 2010, the country has made strides in funding child programmes in areas like education and health, noting however, that funding remains a challenge to most African nations, including Malawi.

“Persistent fiscal challenges across the continent continue to limit meaningful resource allocation as they are many projects that are supposed to be done but due to limited resources we cannot afford,” he lamented.

The occasion, which started with a solidarity walk, brought together children from across Africa, that included Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Nigeria, among others.

In her remarks, Minister of Gender, Community Development & Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza called for leveraging collaboration and synergies to provide better services to children.

Sendeza said her Ministry will continue to provide policy direction and guidelines to ensure the effective implementation of children’s services.

However, she also encouraged children to use their voices to influence decisions in building a safe haven for themselves.—Edited by Maravi Express