• 

11 October, 2021

                CHILDREN ‘S FORUM ON THE O9TH OCTOBER 2021

Greetings to you all ladies and gentlemen, let me start off by acknowledging the presence of children from SADC region and all distinguished guests herein present.

My name is Annalisa Sarona Cruickshank, the current chairperson of National Consultative Children Forum .I am representing all children in Botswana.

No words can express the amount of gratitude I have to have been given this moment to express the views of the children of my country. As Children we are the backbone of any society. We are the link between the present and the future. For us to have a sound future we have to be prepared to face the future with vigor and confidence. All children have dreams, objectives and aspirations, but as children we tend to forget that with every right that we have there is a responsibility.

We as children are continuously faced with challenges that disturb the mental health and growth of a child. During the pre-forum engagements between all the districts of Botswana, we   shared challenges that we face in our districts, this was done to understand the main dysfunctions in each district and came up with possible resolution.

In relation to humanitarian emergencies, Botswana has played a critical role in the protection and care of children.  Covid 19 has added grief and problem, it has ended the lives of many parents/guardians and children are left as orphans, many parents end up becoming very sick and children cannot bear the pain and fear of losing their parent and they go into emotional stress and depression. Many parents/caregivers/guardians lost their jobs, leading to some parents being unable to provide basic needs to their children.

However, the government, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders have created some services that provide the destitute, needy people, home based care patients to be assisted with basic needs like shelter, food and clothing.

The government of Botswana through early childhood development programs have tried its level best to provide free education. Therefore every child has access to basic education. There is also input of reception classes in government schools. This is in line with the Children’s` Act 2009 Part III : 18(2) states that a parent , other relative or guardian who without a reasonable excuse, denies a child the opportunity of going to school shall be guilty of an offence and shall be sentenced to a fine of not less than P5000 but more than P10,000.00.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in Botswana the health systems are designed in such a way that they are accessible to everybody. Every child has a right to the highest attainable standard health and medical care. It is worth noting that the education system has introduced sex education in schools. Children are taught about sex from primary school to senior school. They educate children about long term effects indulging in sexual activities at a young age, like contacting sexual transmitted infections. Health workers have geared their efforts to continue disseminating information about sexual and reproductive issues to the public.

The Government of Botswana has invested its efforts into provision of MHPSSS across various sectors, be it in public sector, non-governmental, organisations etc. in order to address mind set change so as to make informed decisions in protection of children. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, In Botswana children are going through different forms of abuse such as:

• Physical abuse- this include punching, beating, kicking, biting or burning a child in a way that harms a child.
• Verbal abuse- using high pitched and angry voice to the child, tongue lashing or using vulgar and disrespected language
• Emotional abuse – persistent or severe emotional ill treatment or rejection. Emotional abuse is usually carried out by a caregiver or someone who has a power over a child.
• Sexual abuse – this include inappropriate touching of a child’s genitals, inserting objects in a child private part or penetrative intercourse.

Though Section 25 of children’s act is still sung everyday “every child has the right to protection from sexual abuse and exploitation”, but it’s still being violated, and treated as just a statement, because the cases of rape and defilement are still rising.

• Although the government has done this, there is still a problem of teenage pregnancy and sexual transmitted infections.
• Substance abuse is very prominent in Botswana, and children are falling prey to use, resulting in delinquent behaviour, hence need for rehabilitation facilities. The drugs they use are called mind altering substances; this can lead to children performing poorly in academics.
• Neglect is still a challenge; this is a failure to meet a child’s basic needs. There are three types of neglect;
• Physical neglect; poor attention to dangers at home ,inadequate nutrition, clothing
• Educational neglect, refusing to allow a school going age to attend school. 
• Emotional neglect: not meeting the developmental and emotional needs of a child.  We are also neglected in the presence of our parents/guardians and the excuse is always
• Botswana Justice Systems is not compatible with the current social ills experienced by children; for example; there are no fully fledged children`s court, no schools of Industries and no probation Officers and lack of rehabilitation centres. 

Lastly ladies and gentlemen, we call upon the government of Botswana to put in place instruments that will help to curb identified children`s issues.

  I hope all the deliberations done in this forum will impact positively on the wellbeing of every child in SADC region. We are distant bodies but one mind to make the world safe for children because we are the future of tomorrow.

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for listening.

A pula e le nele!!!