DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: Recommendations ? Children must be given work that is relevant to them. ? All children should be treated equally and they must be allowed to rest and have free time. ACCESS TO INFORMATION Challenges ? Rural children do not have access to information. ? Children are not being informed about the law. ? Children do not have freedom in decision making. Recommendations ? Newspapers should be distributed for free. ? Children must be free and involved in decision making. ? Children should be guaranteed freedom of speech and freedom after speech. 2.21 DISTRICT: PROVINCE: VENUE: DATE: PARTICIPANTS: CHEGUTU DISTRICT MASHONALAND WEST PROVINCE RIO TINTO HIGH SCHOOL 15 JULY 2010 150 CHILDREN (64 GIRLS AND 76 BOYS) CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS BIRTH REGISTRATION Challenges ? Children whose parents are divorced or die when they are young face difficulties in acquiring birth certificates. Recommendations ? No child should be born at home so that they can all be registered in hospitals after birth. ? Registration should be for free. ? Schools should ensure registration of all children. CHILD HEADED FAMILIES Challenges ? Orphans are not being attended to by both the government and the communities they live in. ? They are prone to all sorts of diseases as they cannot afford health care. Recommendations ? The community and government must take responsibility for children who live alone and without parents. ? Underprivileged children should be enrolled in schools through BEAM and other facilities. DISCRIMINATION Challenges ? Boys and girls are not being treated equally and fairly despite the fact that children are all equal. Recommendations ? All children, be they boys or girls, deserve the same opportunities such as being sent to school. HEALTH Challenges ? Hospitals and clinics do not have enough staff, equipment and drugs to treat children. ? Some children are victims of their parents' religious beliefs which prohibit them from seeking medical treatment and poverty leading to many unfortunate deaths. Recommendations ? Hospitals must be well resourced and offer treatment to children free of charge. ? Schemes to feed children should be introduced in schools to curb malnutrition. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 52