Rights of the Child

Franciscans International is alarmed by the increasing number of vulnerable children in Zambia, including street children, orphans because of AIDS and children facing sexual abuses and exploitation.

During the CHR, we will recommend that the government of Zambia:

1. Take measures to protect and support orphans, such as providing financial support for the school fees, as well as subsidies to make basic medicines accessible;
2. Promote child-friendly juvenile courts;
3. Seek fair and lasting solutions to the problem of street children, including:
   • Training for police authorities to improve attitude towards and treatment of street children;
   • Sensitization to the public about giving cash to street children;
   • Education and skills training for the street children; and
   • Recreational facilities for children in poverty;
4. Promote behavioural change as an integral part of HIV/AIDS education for a stable solution to preventing the spread of the pandemic.