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COTRAD commemorates the Day of the African Child
Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD)
June 19, 2012

Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) joined the rest of the world, over the weekend in commemorating the day of the African Child at Neshuro Business centre in Mwenezi district Masvingo. The activity drew too many participants including elderly people that graced the commemoration under the theme of rights of the children with disabilities, the duty to protect, respect, promote and fulfil. COTRAD further marked the day with a theme of igniting youth voices in pursuit of a just and democratic society that also ensures the inclusivity of children with disabilities.

The major highlight of the day was the precarious position in which the children with disabilities are quarantined and confined in. Society as whole was noted as neglecting the children with disabilities with the government being the chief culprit. Participants noted the non-existence of provisions by the government aimed at alleviating the challenges facing the children in terms of accessing basic education and other basic necessities including the general welfare. Year 2012 marked a major highlight for the children with disabilities in the province of Masvingo as a result of the ban of humanitarian organizations which were instrumental in providing the necessary assistance to the children.

The community lamented the rhetoric that has become part of government without proper and sound policies being crafted to cater for the children with disabilities. Participants highlighted government as pursuing a pacifist policy in terms of providing alternative assistance through its fiscal policies. Non state actors have contributed immensely to the cushioning of challenges met by institutions like Ngomahuru Hospital, Zimcare Trust and Jairos Jiri as they continue to persevere in helping children with disabilities.

Communities agitated for community actions in a bid to save the disadvantaged by advocating for institutional reformations and making the government accountable since it is the primary role of the government to cater for its citizens including the children with disabilities.

Participants noted that constitution quandary has led to the lack of provisions that should cater for the uplifting of the rights of the children with disabilities. Such a constitutional crisis was highlighted as a deficiency in empowering the children with disabilities. Furthermore it was highlighted that it should be a constitutional obligation to provide cover, cushion and protection for the disabled children.

Communities highlighted the need for the COPAC document to properly cater for the disadvantaged particularly the disabled young people. Young people who attended the process showcased that it was the duty of the young people to continue playing a vanguard role and providing checks and balances in making sure that children with disabilities become a priority for the government.

Participants urged the organization and other non-governmental organizations to play a crucial role in the upholding of the rights of the children and the generality of the Zimbabwean young people if millennium development goals are to be achieved. Coined with this should be the fostering of democratic institutions that ensure proper transformation to meet societal obligations.

Participants noted the importance of non-governmental organizations as they continue to be a beacon of light to these communities. NGOs were encouraged to continue playing the voice of the voiceless role to unlock the government and make it accountable to its citizens.

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