Africa-Press – Botswana. Minister of Gender Affairs Anna Mokgethi has emphasized the profound connection between poverty and child labour.
Mokgethi highlighted Botswana’s recognition of child labour as a gross violation of human rights during her address at the recent summit organized by Childline Botswana Trust.
She said it has (Child labour) a detrimental impact on children’s proper growth and potential for lifelong physical or psychological damage.
The Minister drew attention to the alarming link between poverty and child labour, saying child labour perpetuates poverty across generations by denying children from impoverished backgrounds access to education and limiting their prospects for upward social mobility.
She vividly illustrated this cycle, stating: “The end result is that the children of my maid will also become maids to my children. Ke gore Ngwana wa Modisa wame wa go nna Modisa wa bongwanake. This is wrong and it must end.”
Mokgethi acknowledged that child labor is prevalent in specific sectors within Botswana, notably agriculture, livestock, and domestic work involving young girls in urban areas. She attributed this issue to a lack of knowledge and cultural misconceptions regarding distinctions between child labour and children’s daily chores, underlining the importance of addressing the ill.
Over the past few years, the Minister highlighted collaborative efforts with the United States Embassy and non-governmental organizations like Humana People to People Botswana.
She said through legislation, enforcement mechanisms, policies, and social programs, the government has actively tackled child labor. “In 2022, Botswana received a moderate advancement rating for its efforts to eliminate child labor, a testament to the nation’s commitment to children’s rights.”
Mokgethi affirmed Botswana’s commitment to international conventions, including The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“As Botswana, we are committed to ensuring that our children enjoy safe passage to productive adulthood. We will jealously uphold our children’s inalienable rights to health, education, and shelter,” she said.
Mokgethi said nurturing and protecting children is a collective responsibility. She called on leaders, parents and duty bearers to play their strategic roles in ensuring the well-being of children.
“It is only through commitment, perseverance, and deliberate action that we will be able to nurture and protect our children,” she said.
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The overall objective of the summit was to provide a platform for dialogue and engagement towards promoting practices and policies that fulfil Children’s rights and welfare for improved quality of life. The summit covered a wide range of issues relating to child welfare and protection; aimed at mobilizing Governments to further strengthen Child Helplines; as well as sharing of emerging technologies to enhance the protection of Children and promotion of their rights. The summit also provided a platform for Intergovernmental Organizations to reflect on their collaboration with Child Helplines and other Civil Society Organizations in promoting the rights of Children and enhancing provision of services to Children at regional and national levels.
One of the key expected outcomes was a “Gaborone Declaration” on the protection of Children and enhancement of Child Helplines; as well as the adoption of a road map for resourcing the children’s agenda in Africa and MENA by Funding Organizations.
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