WALVIS BAY – Children want to see sexual offenders being arrested and given long jail time like the sentences given to those stealing cattle.

These were the words of Unaludo Masego Isaac, president of the National Children’s Consultative Forum for Botswana during a consultative discussion with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia’s heads of state on Sunday. The vocal young leader did not mince her words in advocating for better, safer and friendlier environments, as well as legal instruments to protect children. 

She was part of the 400 children from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia, who attended World Children’s Day in Walvis Bay on Sunday evening.

Isaac said that despite the progress made by Botswana and other African countries, there is a need to double their efforts – not only in education but in all areas that pose a threat to the well-being of children.

“We recognise the efforts that have been made by our government to protect children; however, we need more child-friendly services. Police stations and responsible officers should be trained so that they know how to deal with cases concerning children,” she explained.

Isaac emphasised that, as much as there are many campaigns creating awareness against sexual crimes and abuse against children, the incidents are escalating daily.

“I know that the situation in our countries is alarming, and we know that our government is making efforts to mitigate this issue. The perpetrators are usually close relatives. I always look with envy at how police swiftly arrest cattle thieves. They have everything ready. There is always a team ready to go. But what about us, children? We do not have our own unit. We do not have our own department that just says when an issue is there; usually, there is a lot of delay. There is usually a long story for anything that could be done where one is a victim of abuse. We want to see the offenders being arrested and given long jail time like those stealing cattle,” Isaac appealed.

According to her, Covid-19 has increased instances of bullying and sexual exploitation of children, as many of them had to rely on gadgets for education and communication.

“Cyberbullying is alive, and a lot of children have fallen victim to the situation. We have always talked about creating safe spaces for children. But we do not get to feel safe in our homes because of poor parenting. There is a lot that children are exposed to, especially in sexual matters, and there are many arising cases – not just in our nation but in our neighbouring nations, where cases of great sexual abuse are prevalent – even up to date,” she said.

As a leader of tomorrow, she recommended that the education curriculum be reformed and teachers in Africa be capacitated to respond to children’s needs.

“Teaching personnel should be trained to help us interpret situations, and introduce mental health programmes in schools, while governments should hire mental health professionals for schools. Abolish corporal punishment or have a national conversation on this project. Stiffer punishment for perpetrators of violence against children and ensure that children from poor families are not left behind when it comes to education and employment,” she recommended.

Responding to her, Botswanan president Mokweetsi Masisi said children should not be compared to cattle, and that the same methods used to curb cattle theft cannot be applied to the challenges facing children.

According to him, even though children still face many challenges, his country as well as other African countries has done a lot to protect them. “We do a lot to try and protect the child. You mustn’t compare children to cattle; cattle do not think like children, and human beings shouldn’t behave like cattle. So, yes, there are certain ways in which you can use to prevent stock theft, but you can’t use the same methods to prevent assault on children because these are human beings,” the president explained. 

He said they have child-friendly centres, retrained the police force and amended their regulations. Masisi further indicated they have changed laws, resulting in the Sexual Offender Registry Act, so that sexual offenders get tagged and registered. “These are innovations that have been coming about, you know, fairly recently, and we’re committed to mounting the Protect our Children campaign, and awareness is currently being created all over the country,” he said. - edeklerk@nepc.com.na