DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS 2.15 DISTRICT: PROVINCE: VENUE: DATE: PARTICIPANTS: CHAPTER 2: MUTASA DISTRICT MANICALAND PROVINCE ST MATHIAS TSONZO HIGH SCHOOL 05 JULY 2010 197 CHILDREN (108 GIRLS AND 89 BOYS) CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS BIRTH REGISTRATION Challenges ? Orphans are failing to acquire birth certificates as they have no one to represent them and cannot afford the registration fees. ? Children without birth certificates fail to acquire national IDs, passports and drivers licenses. Recommendations ? Birth registration should be for free. ? Government must help OVCs to get birth certificates. CHILD HEADED FAMILIES Challenges ? Children living alone without adult support fail to get food, shelter and education. ? The community is neglecting them. Recommendations ? Government should build orphanages for children without adults looking after them. ? The government must provide these children with services such as medication, education and other basic necessities for free. ? Relatives and the community should help and take care of orphans. DISCRIMINATION Challenges ? Children are discriminating against each other. ? Adults are discriminating against children on basis of gender. Recommendations ? All children, whether rich or poor, deserve the same treatment and equal opportunities. ? Children should not be discriminated against on basis of gender “100% gender equality between boys and girls.” ? Programmes such as food aid should benefit all children without any discrimination. ? Disabled children should not be discriminated against. They, like any other child, have the right to education hence they must also be in school. FOOD Challenges ? Some children go to school having eaten nothing whilst others get home from school and find no food. This is due to food shortages that frequently occur in the district. ? Children fall victim to diseases caused by lack of proper and adequate food. Recommendations ? Food aid programmes targeting children should be initiated. The selection of beneficiaries should not be biased. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 37