DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: CHILD PARTICIPATION Challenges ? Our culture does not allow children to participate or talk even if the decision affects them. Recommendations “Our parents should accept and listen to us if we have issues.” ? The government should support the dreams of children. ELECTRICITY Challenges ? There is no electricity in the rural areas. Recommendations ? Rural schools should have electricity so that children can study at night. ·“We want to be heard and be involved in decision making.” 2.9. DISTRICT: PROVINCE: VENUE: DATE: PARTICIPANTS: MANGWE DISTRICT MATEBELELAND SOUTH PROVINCE BULU HIGH SCHOOL 23 JUNE 2010 208 CHILDREN (120 GIRLS AND 88 BOYS) CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS BIRTH REGISTRATION Challenges ? Children are failing to access the right to education because they do not have birth certificates. They fail to acquire Form 1 places. ? Registration offices are far away and in rural areas people do not have money to travel to these offices. Recommendations ? Birth certificates should be given in hospitals. ? School authorities should be encouraged to assist school children without identity documents to acquire them. CHILD HEADED FAMILIES Challenges ? There are children living within child headed families in Mangwe District. Recommendations ? Social services department must take care of those children. ? The government should take those children to children's homes. DISCRIMINATION Challenges ? In most rural areas girls do not have equal opportunities with boys. They are often left out in most issues that affect them. ? OVCs are not receiving assistance or projects in order to sustain themselves. ? OVCs especially those who are HIV and AIDS infected do not have adequate food. ? Some schools do not adequately cater for the disabled children. Recommendations ? All children, whether girls or boys, should be treated equally. ? OVCs should be equipped with skills that can help them embark on self-help projects. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 24