Initiatives Like Children�s Month of Broadcasting A Must

Monitor Editor | Monday March 5, 2018 17:58

The sad reality is that there are still members of our society who so grimly misunderstand the issue of children’s rights.

Yes, it is the responsibility of parents or legal guardians to ensure that their children are well taken care of, but that does not extend to denying the little ones a voice.

Child upbringing of course does include some level of discipline, and we are not advocating for parents not to make important decisions about their children’s upbringing and care.

We are well aware that there are many styles of parenting, and hopefully every parent gives their level best to mould their children to become responsible, respectable and productive citizens.

People, oftentimes when commenting on other people’s character, will make reference to how the child was brought up.

Our culture dictates that a child does not talk back at adults.

While some parents do not practise it so sternly, there are others who practise it, and sometimes harshly for that matter.

Many adults today will remember, once or twice getting a good beating for something they did not do, thanks to this practice that children do not talk back at adults.

Initiatives like Botswana Children’s Month of Broadcasting are a necessity, because they provide the leaders of tomorrow an opportunity to voice out their issues.

Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, in his speech on the day of the launch, acknowledged the need for children’s inclusion when discussing issues that affect them.

“Children are indeed a very special constituency and are deserving of our utmost respect and recognition. They have a very special place in our society and we all have a duty to ensure their safety and protection while also facilitating their participation in matters that affect their lives.”

In less than a month, Masisi will be the president of the country, and it is indeed comforting to hear the soon to be president, such important commitments about the welfare of children.

The year’s commemoration is themed ‘Botlhale jwa phala bo tswa phalaneng…. countdown to 2019’, which a welcome development, because not only will it give children the opportunity to learn and understand politics, but give them a chance to share their aspirations with policy makers.

The soon-to-be president made promising remarks in his speech: “The objective of this year’s commemoration is to encourage the prioritization of children’s issues by political parties ahead of the 2019 General Elections.

This is a bold step that Botswana, as a leading democratic country, is pioneering this year.

Through the various activities that will be undertaken over the course of the month, children will be given a platform to engage with policy makers, politicians and the media, to elucidate their interests in the country’s developmental agenda. This will, by extension, provide an opportunity for children to participate in the policy making process.”