Zimbabwe News Update
herald
9 min read
Obey Sibanda, Features ReporterIN the city’s hive of activity, where laughter and gossip fill the air, another story often goes unnoticed. Amid the throngs of pedestrians, a small child navigates the busy streets, clutching a worn begging bowl while leaving behind her blind mother. With wide, hopeful eyes, this child embodies innocence amid harsh realities.This heart-wrenching scene tells a story of struggle, resilience, and the quest for compassion.Every day, countless children with blind parents are forced to abandon their dreams of education and a better future.
The sound of school bells is drowned out by the noise of traffic and the hustle of daily life, leaving many children absent from classrooms where they belong and violating their right to education.The right to education is enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees that every citizen, particularly children, has access to schooling. This fundamental right is central to the development and wellbeing of individuals and society at large.Last week, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), alongside civil society partners and human rights defenders, gathered to commemorate Africa Human Rights Day (AHRD).
The commemorations, held under the continental theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” highlighted not only Africa’s long struggle for freedom and justice but also the rights of children.During the event, Takunda Mandura, Communications Officer for Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ), emphasised the violation of the right to education. “When money meant for school development is stolen, that corruption directly infringes on people’s human rights. If a child is denied education because funds were diverted, that is a violation of the right to education,” Mandura stated.Recent studies reveal that over 150 million children worldwide are engaged in begging, often due to dire economic circumstances.
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