CHAPTER DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS 2: ? Recommendations ? Government must protect children from being dragged into political activities. Politics should also not be a source of unrests and violence. ? Term of office for the president should be five years and Members of Parliament (MPs) should represent the interests of their constituency fully: “We want democracy in our country.” ? Racism by the government must be shunned. ? Children should be fully involved in the selection of child leaders such as Junior MPs and Junior Councilors. ? 2.3. DISTRICT: PROVINCE: VENUE: DATE: PARTICIPANTS: MUTOKO DISTRICT MASHONALAND EAST PROVINCE CHIPFIKO PRIMARY SCHOOL 09 JUNE 2010 187 CHILDREN (114 GIRLS AND 73 BOYS) CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS BIRTH REGISTRATION Challenges ? A high number of children in Motoko do not have birth certificates. With some children this has been due to total negligence on the part of the parents. Orphans are mostly affected as they are without parents to acquire the documents for them. ? Those children living with parents who do not have identity particulars are also not being registered. Children are therefore inheriting the problems of their parents. Recommendations ? Registration of children should be decentralized to hospitals, clinics and community centres so that people will not have to travel long distances to get registration. A child born at a clinic or hospital should be registered as soon as he is born. ? Parents not registering their children should be accountable for breaking the law. ? The MoESAC must be empowered to assist and facilitate the acquisition of birth certificates for unregistered children in schools. ? Acquiring birth certificates should be made free. If this cannot be done nationally, let there be special exceptions for rural communities where getting money is a problem. DISCRIMINATION Challenges ? Children are being treated differently based on gender and the girl child is not being adequately empowered. Recommendations ? The government and all who protect children's rights should ensure that all children equally enjoy their entitlements without selective application based on gender. ? Gender balance should be considered in schools and all community activities where children take part. FOOD Challenges ? Some children experience severe food shortages and end up suffering from diseases caused by malnutrition. Recommendations ? The government should initiate child feeding programmes and distribute food to children facing food shortages. Food aid must prioritise children and the community must ensure that all the children have something to eat. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 10