A Civic leader in Mazabuka in Southern Province has called on the Children’s Press Bureau (CPB) to work closely with the Police Victim Support Unit in exposing issues of child abuse.ÂÂ
Mazabuka Mayor, Edmund Cheelo who made the call in Mazabuka at the official opening
of the CPB said in view of alleged rampant violations of children’s rights in the
district, advocacy by the children on issues affecting them deserves support from
all stakeholders.
The Mayor advised members of the CPB to report cases of defilement, rape and incest
to the Police Victim Unit if such cases were to reduce.
He said the work being done by the children has full backing from Government as it
is in line with its efforts to advocate for the respect of children’s rights.
Mr Cheelo noted that for a long time, elderly people have spoken and expressed views
on behalf of children because society felt that they were too young to be listened
to and consulted.
The Mayor welcomed the official launch of CPB saying it will empower children in the
media to express themselves through radio programmes and writing of news articles on
issues that affect them.
Mr Cheelo also commended the Youth Media implementors of the project and Plan Zambia
the sponsors of the project for identifying the need to involve the children
themselves in bringing out issues of violations of their rights from both Urban and
rural areas.
The CPB project aims at closing the gap between urban children and those from the
rural areas by providing them with skills and an opportunity to interact through
sharing experiences.
44 children have been trained in producing radio programmes, writing stories and
have participated in events such as the International Children’s Day of
Broadcasting, International day against Child Labour and the day of the African
Child.
