What You Need to Know
The Bela-Bela and Kolojane Community Council Child Protection Teams have reported significant successes in reducing child abduction cases through awareness campaigns focused on children’s rights. Their efforts have led to a notable decline in such incidents, although challenges remain, including cultural practices and parental neglect. The teams emphasize the importance of community involvement in
Africa-Press – Lesotho. Bela-Bela and Kolojane Community Council Child Protection Teams (CCCPT’s) said their countless efforts of raising awareness on children’s rights has led to the reduction of child abduction cases in various places.
This emerged on Wednesday as both teams wrapped up their joint quarterly meeting, held at Kueneng Community Council offices.
According to one of the CCCPT members Mrs. Malikeng-keng Mokoaleli, villages like Ha-Khororo used to be the hot spots of child abduction cases whereby they were either dragged to initiation schools and child marriage.
However, she said since they rolled public sensitization campaigns which were focused more on safe guarding children from any form of violence or abuse, neglect, exploitation, child labour and trafficking; the cases have dropped drastically.
Mrs. Mokoaleli highlighted that such drop is the result of conducting awareness campaigns on child protection issues although there are some people who undermine their efforts.
She highlighted that lack of understanding among some parents, adding that some are still upheld by cultural practices, were among the reasons behind child abduction cases and thus depriving them of their human rights such as access to education.
On the other issue, she said that some parents were so reluctant to take their babies to the health centers for routine health check or childhood vaccination.
However, Mrs. Mokoaleli stressed that conditions have changed as they did enlighten them about the importance of adhering to health services as prescribed by health practitioners.
Another CCCPT member from Kolojane and also the representative of Kueneng and Mapoteng Principal Chief initiation school committee, Mr. Ntholi Monyane said boldly said the information about children’s rights and the age requirements for initiation always reach Area Chiefs during their monthly meetings and that has helped to reduce cases of under age boys being dragged to the initiation schools.
However, Mr. Monyane said despite their efforts, there are some emerging reports of some initiates who enrol with their brothers birth certificates, yet they are still under age.
He pointed out the protection of children’s rights has to be everyone’s responsibility.
“Any issue involving a person willing to enroll to the initiation school, first has to be communicated in the family and endorsed by both parents and Area Chiefs,” he explained.
However, he noted with concern some owners of such schools deliberately allowing under age children to be accommodated.
He indicated that Area Chiefs need to have clear records about the initiates, also indicating their age.
Representing Village Health Workers in Bela-Bela CCCPT, Mrs. Mathabo Seephe said despite having no reports on child labour or child marriage, there is a new emerging issue of boys aged 10 to 15 years being involved violent gangs.
Mrs. Seephe said the worst part is that they use deadly weapons like knives of which their parents are not even aware of because such fights happen when they are out of the villages.
Despite that issue, she boldly said public trust towards CCCPT has grown, citing that they inform and report cases where children’s rights are being deprived, adding that looking at the cases they have finished, marks a milestone of development.
Reflecting on the child neglect cases, another CCCPT member, Mrs. Mathabang Moshoeshoe from Kolojane said although they are marking a success on their community awareness campaigns, they still encounter a challenge of some parents who neglect their children.
Reverend (Rev) Mokhethi Duzwa expressed concern that the gambling machines which are found at the doors of every shop in their place are posing a major problem in communities for children and he further called for strong regulations.
Rev Duzwa added that to win the battle against child marriages and even those who shy away from schools only to go initiation schools can only be through encouraging them to have a strong relationship with or to grow in churches.
He noted with excitement that their campaigns have led to the increased numbers of Sunday school children.
Meanwhile, Kueneng CCCPT Secretariat and also Social Development Auxiliary Social Worker, Ms. Rorisang Mohapi congratulated them for understanding their responsibilities on child protection issues, highlighting that it takes dedication to build a secure and child friendly environment.
On the other hand, CCCPT members suggested a refresher course, particularly on the areas of how to identify cases and the proper ways of reporting or referring a case up until justice is served for abused children.
They also called for joint public gatherings aimed at helping parents to equip them with positive parenting skills and how best can they maintain parent and children relationship.
The quarterly meeting of both CCCPT’s was supported by the project of Accelerating Action on Eliminating Child Labour and Forced Labour, running in collaboration with the government with the focus of strengthening child protection laws, improving legal protection enforcement and community sensitization.
Child protection in Lesotho has been a growing concern, particularly in rural areas where cultural practices often conflict with children’s rights. Initiatives like the Child Protection Teams aim to raise awareness and educate communities about the importance of safeguarding children from violence, abuse, and neglect. These efforts have become crucial in addressing issues such as child marriage and labor, which are prevalent in some regions. The collaboration between community councils and health workers is vital in promoting children’s well-being and ensuring their rights are respected.
