23 Sep 2018

Parents have been urged to highlight more on individuality when raising their children and to let them be independent thinkers.

Speaking at the Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) launch in Gumare recently, assistant district commissioner, Mr Senka Kanyenvu said parents were primary custodians of children, therefore, they should shield them from any form of endangerment.

The objective of the launch was to ensure that parents were involved in the upbringing of their children.

Mr Kanyenvu noted that there were a number of issues that parents incorporated without realising they were posing danger to their children.

He highlighted that some parents used their children to fight their battles, citing an example where parents gave their children names pertaining to their past experiences.

When they start to develop, he said, the tag becomes their identity which affects their upbringing.

He also highlighted risks such as road accidents, abuse, defilement and teenage pregnancies.

He acknowledged that if a child was not properly taken care of, he/she does not tread well with authority even in their established years.

He urged parents to take heed of and protect the needs of their children, especially girl-children, noting that a girl-child was prone to certain social ills like sexual abuse and teenage pregnancies.

Therefore, he advised parents to draw their children closer to them and educate them about such issues.

He noted that it was the responsibility of every parent to safeguard the welfare of their child.

He opined that parents should go back to the crossroads and work hand-in-hand with teachers to achieve the common goal.

VCPC chairperson, Kgosi Moitshephi Molelwa explained that the newly launched committee comprised of the kgosi, parents, teachers, pupils and other public servants.

He explained that the members were trained and equipped on issues of confidentiality, adding that the committee would be keeping an eye on issues of child abuse, assertiveness and others concerning children. ENDS