03 Nov 2013

The Children’s Act of 2009 calls for the setting up of new structures, capacity development of duty bearers, development of new regulations and rules for some of the instruments that are currently being used.

Speaking at a meeting on the implementation of the Children’s Act in Gaborone on Octber 31, the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Olebile Gaborone said the passing of the act in 2009 marked a major milestone in the arena of child protection in Botswana.

Mr Gaborone noted that the act required a multi-sectoral approach with participation from different stakeholders in government, civil society as well as communities. “We all have policies, programmes and laws that have a bearing on children and it is now evident that some of these may need to be reviewed to align them with the provisions and standards enshrined under the Act,” he further noted.

Mr Gaborone also said the Children’s Act directed that as the people entrusted with programming and policy formulation employees and stakeholders in local government, they must ensure that child legislation made maximum contribution to society’s compliance with child rights principles.

He stressed that it was crucial for people to change some of their attitudes towards the perception of children’s rights because it was their duty to make sure they were understood and enjoyed responsibly.

Giving a presentation on the implementation framework of the Act, the deputy director in the Department of Social Protection, Ms Mmaphefo Setabo-Kgetse said the Act outlined that children had a right to be heard in matters that concern their wellbeing.

She said no decision or action should be taken whose results discriminated against any child on the basis of sex, family, colour, and ethnicity, physical or mental status. She further said justice for children should be guaranteed at all levels in line with relevant national and international norms and standards.

Ms Setabo-Kgetse said the Act would ensure successful socialisation and integration of children into the community. Thus, she said, mobilisation of stakeholders across the different levels was key.

The deputy director said children’s issues should be systematically integrated in national planning processes such as national development plans.

She also said her department would focus on training of all relevant professionals particularly law enforcement officials, social workers and prosecutors on children rights.

“There is need to collaborate with institutions of higher learning to facilitate curriculum reform that will include children’s rights and the Children’s Act in the faculties of Law, Social Work as well as other sectors,” Ms Setabo-Kgetse pointed out. Ends