The Joining Forces alliance has continued to call for a child-friendly national legislative, policy, and institution framework in creating an Africa fit for children.
According to a statement availed to One Love Radio news, the alliance noted that for Zambia to achieve the aspirations under the agenda 2040, there is a need to harmonize the national legal provisions; and to further strengthen governance and accountability around the implementation of the existing legal frameworks to protect, promote and fulfill Human rights and in particular the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The alliance further called for inclusive and equitable quality education for all children, especially those in rural areas even as the country commemorates the Day of the African Child under the theme “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy and Practice since 2013”.
“Whilst we commend the New Dawn government for increasing budgetary allocations to the Education sector from 13.7 billion to 18 billion kwacha (10.4% of the national budget), this still falls short of the 2000 Dakar Framework on Education for all, which places on UN member states the obligation to spend a minimum of 20% of their national budgets on Education”, it said.
Joining forces alliance also reiterated that as child-focused organizations, increased investment in the welfare of children, including education, health, and protection is needed.
“We are calling on government and other actors to accelerate the implementation of the agenda 2040 prioritizing legal reforms and public investment in children so that all children can grow up well-nourished and with access to the necessities of life”, it further said.