Securing the future of Africa through safeguarding children.

“Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy & Practice since 2013.”

On the occasion of the 2022 commemorations of the Day of the African Child, FACT Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation through the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe with support from The U.S President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Zimbabwe hosted an exclusive radio infomercial on Diamond FM to commemorate the day.

The radio show featured the International President of the Young People’s Network on Child Marriages, abuses and Rights who is also the Junior Member of Parliament for the Special Constituency of People with Disabilities, Tanaka Mukuhwa, the outgoing Junior President of the Senate, Kimberly Gudhlanga and FACT Zimbabwe Child Protection Officer, Pamela Mlambo.

“Both boys and girls have to be empowered to be agents who shape their own future.”

Tanaka Mukuhwa

International President of Young People’s Network on Child Marriages, abuses and Rights and also the Junior Member of Parliament for the Special Constituency of People with Disabilities.

“If policy making is not involving young people it becomes elusive. Child participation is key for an Africa we all want.”

Kimberly Gudhlanga

Outgoing Junior President of the Senate.

Key discussions were centred on the gains that have been made in Africa and Zimbabwe to address harmful socio-cultural practices affecting the African Child, existing laws and ways to ensure children are meaningfully engaged in law-making and decision-making processes; and to share the work FACT Zimbabwe is doing to safeguard children and respond to abuse cases through the PEPFAR and USAID supported Children Tariro Program.

On 16 June every year, the African Union and its Member States observe the Day of the African Child (DAC) as a commemoration of the 16th June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa, where students who marched in protest against apartheid-inspired education, were murdered.