16 June 2020
Today Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association joins Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa in commemorating the International Day of the African Child under the theme “Access to a Child-Friendly Justice System in Africa”.
Since 1991, the Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 to commemorate those killed during the Soweto Uprising in South Africa. The Day of the African Child is also an opportunity to raise awareness for the ongoing need to improve the education of children living across Africa.
Across many developing countries, children of low-income families often end up being forced out of education instead children help support their parents and siblings by selling vegetables, cigarettes and sweets on the streets and other menial jobs like washing of vehicles.
As BVTA, we abhor child labour and we urge the state to take reasonable measures to ensure that such children have access to education and are protected from child labour.
Children who are forced into vending by circumstances mentioned are often at a high risk of encountering sexual abuse and other forms of harassment within communities. According to Research Centre for Management and Sustainable Development (2019), 92.5% of street children surveyed reported being sexually abused. Since the kids often stay out selling their goods late into the night, many are exposed to potentially dangerous customers on a regular basis. Many are easy targets simply because of their innocence and lack of knowledge.
The rights of children are elaborated in Section 81 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and among other rights, boys and girls have the right to be protected from economic and sexual exploitation, from child labour, and from maltreatment, neglect or any form of abuse. The Constitution also guarantees children’s rights to education, health care services, nutrition and shelter.
Issued by BVTA Information and Publicity Unit
Contact details: Fourth floor, Suite 406, Fidelity Life Building Fife street and 11th Avenue Email:bulawayovendors@gmail.com Website: www.bvtatrust.org Phone: +263 713 635 908 Twitter: @bvtatrust Facebook: Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association/ Bulawayo Vendors Trust