Government to review children policies – Wina

—Government is reviewing policies that have a bearing on children in order to end violence perpetrated against girls.

Gender and Child Development Minister, Inonge Wina, says the policies that are being revised include the National Child Policy, the National Gender Policy, the Education Policy, the Social Protection Policy and the Cultural Policy among others.

Ms Wina was speaking during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child held at Chawama Basic School ground in Lusaka.

She said the revision of the policies is aimed at making them more responsive to the needs of children especially the girls by ensuring that they provide adequate protection.

Ms Wina said government is also implementing programmes such as the Youth Empowerment Programme under the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Women Economic Programme under her ministry meant to empower young people in Zambia.

She counselled girls on the need to concentrate on their studies and engage in various sporting activities that will not only keep them busy but also contribute to their wellbeing and further encouraged them to participate and excel in mathematics and other science subjects.

Ms Wina also called for conceited efforts to fight vices such as child marriages, teenage pregnancies, sexual exploitation of girls as well as other harmful traditional practices which are a hindrance to girls advancement in life.

She also cautioned parents and guardians to take up parental responsibilities seriously in order to address the challenges affecting the girl child.

And SOS Children’s Zambia National Director, Lavert Zulunde, said children, especially the girl child, need to be cared for in order to shape their future in a positive manner.