WHAT’S OFFERED TO OUR KIDS?

Madam,

The violence that most vulnerable citizens, the children, experience is often condemned, and calls are made for more punitive actions to be taken against perpetrators. Yet, daily we continue to see children being treated in the most harrowing and despicable of ways. There is not enough space here to regurgitate all of that, yet we need to reflect on what the country has offered children.
What is clear is that adults have been talking for years about solutions that can hopefully end various violations against children. What has been missing is involving the same children being spoken about to play a central role in this decision-making and for them to tell us what they need from the adults tasked with creating the environments in which they live. What has the country greatly achieved regarding how it has been treating its children? Is it a better and safer country with an improved education system?

We all envisage living in a prosperous country, especially our children. Yes, the government is doing a lot of work to help and protect children, but is enough being done? We have to do better if the next generation of children is to experience a different nation. Will we have created a country that is safe for children in the places where they live, work and play? Will we be turning the corner in ways we wish to or will we be beating the same drums, yet there is yet to be a definitive change?

We all envisage seeing happier and healthier children living in safe spaces and each one of us is responsible for creating those safe spaces for the children within our sphere of influence. We should dare not fail them! In the next years to come, we will be the elderly at their mercy and the way we treat them now will come back to haunt us.
N Nkomo

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