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552 reports · page 44 of 56
The paper is part of a collaborative research organized by the International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates (AIMJF/IAYFJM) on child participation in family and protection matters. The article explains the legal, institutional and procedural aspects of child participation in the Justice System in Mozambique.
Esmeralda da Conceição Lucas Baulene
Given growing concerns about exposure to online risks, this study investigates children’s risk awareness and online safety needs in Zimbabwe. The research focuses on assessing factors influencing children’s awareness of online dangers and examining how demographic factors impact the perceived need for online safety education. While prior studies emphasise, the tangible risks posed by online interactions and the role of digital literacy, limited research has addressed these challenges within Zimbabwe’s context. This study builds on existing research to bridge the gap by providing localized insights. Data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to 2,617 children aged 8 to 18 across Zimbabwe’s ten provinces. Analytical methods included chi-square tests, logit regression and analysis of variance. Key findings indicate that older children and frequent Internet users are more aware of online risks. They also highlighted that meeting online friends in person significantly increases their exposure to harm. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and parents to craft effective interventions, including targeted safety education and enhanced regulatory frameworks for safer online environments. This study contributes to understanding online risk awareness and safety needs among Zimbabwean children.
Maxwell Sandada, Gift Kalisto Machengete, Cryford Mhaka et al.
Abstract Background South Africa is a developing country characterised by high unemployment, poverty and inequality. Thus, it is possible child members of households are exploited to help the households survive financially. Objective This study investigated child labour activities in South Africa, and examined the impact of various personal- and household-level factors (including labour market status of adult members) on child labour incidence. Methods Data from the Survey of Activities of Young People (SAYP) released by Statistics South Africa was analysed to derive descriptive statistics relating to child labour activities. Probit regressions were also conducted to investigate the impact of various factors on child labour probability. Results Children involved in child labour were predominantly African rural residents who did not attend schools at the time of the survey, and came from households with only one employed adult member on average. These children spent four to five hours per week on economic activities in unskilled elementary occupations, and the key reasons for involving in these activities were to earn pocket money for themselves and assist their families. Regarding the results of probit regressions, children coming from households with a greater number of employed adult members were less likely to be in child labour, but the result was only statistically significant in 2015. Conclusions Child labour does exist in South Africa, particularly amongst households with a low number of employed adult members. Numerous socio-economic problems (such as poverty and adult unemployment) would need to be addressed to fully eradicate child labour incidence.
Derek Yu, Simbarashe Murozvi, Clinton Herwel
Child labour is a persistent phenomenon, and its prevalence globally has challenged law makers to focus on legislative intervention but most importantly, to employ a multifaceted approach towards an effective and sustainable elimination of child labour. The new “Global Estimates on Child Labour”, covering the period 2016-2020 show a global increase from 152 to 160 million children involved in child labour. It is estimated that of all the regions in the world, child labour is most prevalent in the sub-Saharan African region. This region has seen an increase of children in child labour since 2012. Children work for different reasons; the most important reason being poverty, and the pressure for these children to escape it lands some of them in situations of child labour. This study thoroughly discusses the legislative framework implemented towards the regulation of child labour in South Africa, and further highlights the importance of tackling the root causes of child labour by implementing poverty alleviation programmes for its effective elimination. With poverty at the centre of this challenge, the study argues that any intervention should seek to alleviate poverty and create decent work for adults so that children can stay in school and acquire education that will empower them for a better future. The study acknowledges that the introduction of legislation regulating child labour is a great start towards child protection, however without effective enforcement mechanisms, the elimination of child labour becomes impossible. Therefore, challenges relating to the enforcement of existing legislation are highlighted and the importance of collaborations to ensure a coordinated approach for effective implementation and enforcement of legislation is discussed. vii
K Padi
During human history we found several procedures which can be considered as strong attacks on the physical and psychological integrity of human communities. Amongst these procedures are male and female genital mutilation. We have selected for this manuscript female genital mutilation (FGM) because we have personal knowledge of this practice in Africa and as there is today a growing perception on the necessity of to stop FGM, we want to share our experience of the knowledge of FGM. Effectively, some years ago, when we were working in research projects in Angola (West Africa) we were present at ceremonies (not the act) of female genital mutilation (FGM, whose popular name in Angola is “fanado”) by invitation of the community where the FGM was carried out, and we can transmit the following : (i) the images then seen remain in our memory -men, women and the young had vestments with many colors and adornments of metal, straw etc, were singing and dancing with strong energy ; (ii) the girls were stressed and fearful, thinking of their future suffering. Then, in this context, here we have as:1) general objective: to give our modest contribution to reinforce the necessity to end with the FGM practice, in that the dignity and rights of all girls are not respected; 2) particular objectives: (i) to show the negative repercussion of the FGM on girls concerning their physical and psychological health, since we are convinced that a genuine awareness of the gravity of the problems is an essential pre-condition for the implementation of any tangible measures for its end; (ii) to transmit the actual hope for the end of this procedure, considering, principally, that on 6 February 2019, WHO joins individuals, organizations, and UN partners worldwide in marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM [1]. To reach our objectives, we have selected information that we have considered as more relevant in the context of an edital.
Maria Amélia Afonso Grácio, António Grácio
While international and regional human rights instruments have recognized female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) as one of the most prevalent forms of violence against women and girls, in many African states FGM/C is a deeply entrenched cultural practice. There is a consensus against FGM, as evidenced by its criminalization in several African countries. The mere fact that the practice continues despite legislative measures to protect women and girls against FGM raises the question of whether change can be legislated. The present article summarizes the trends and effectiveness of FGM criminalization in Africa, including prohibition of medicalization of FGM. Against the backdrop of emerging debate on medicalization of FGM as a harm reduction strategy, we also examine its complex legal and ethical implications. The article argues that while criminalization may not be the best means of stopping FGM, it creates an enabling environment to facilitate the overall strategy of African governments in eradication of the practice.
Satang Nabaneh, Adamson Sinjani Muula
Definition of termsTrust Schools Independent primary and secondary schools which are run by a board of governors and are not for profit Violence against children with disability All forms of violence perpetrated against children with disability based on their disabilityVuzu parties Wild parties which are attended by mostly teenagers where they engage in alcohol, drug and substance abuse and end up voluntarily or involuntarily engaging in sexual activities with various partners.The parties are most prevalent in Bulawayo.
Charles Muchemwa Nherera, Tendai Nhenga
Enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is every child's right to protection from violence and harm. Although 196 of the 197 UN member states are signatories to the CRC (the USA is the exception), more than 1 billion children experience violence each year.1 However, there is good news—the elimination of violence in childhood now features prominently in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The newly formed Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children brings together a diverse range of stakeholders committed to eradicating violence against children, and is focusing resources to facilitate change.
Karen M. Devries, Franziska Meinck
The global development agenda acknowledges the role of cities in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing contemporary challenges caused by urbanization. SDG 11 aspires to make “cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” by 2030, even as the global urban population continues to grow exponentially, along with — even more rapidly — the population of children living in cities. Cities are the level of government closest to people’s daily lives, and are best placed to address the numerous challenges and rights violations that children are exposed to, including sexual exploitation and abuse, violence, trafficking, and child labour. SDG 16.2 has the primary aim of ending the “abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against children”. Through the lens of the subsidiarity principle, this article argues that localization to the city level of law and policy strategies that address violence against children can provide normative and powerful legal tools for their protection. Although there is developing scholarly literature on the global aspirations expressed in SDG 11 and SDG 16.2, little has been offered from a child rights perspective on the role of city governments in the prevention of, and protection of children from, violence.
Rongedzayi Fambasayi, Rejoice Shamiso Katsidzira
The World Study on Violence against children noted that violence against children is never justifiable or inevitable, and that if its underlying causes are identified and addressed, violence against children is entirely preventable. This essay addresses the following questions: - what is meant by violence prevention? - how is South Africa doing? - what are the recommendations?
Human Sciences Research Council
