DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: CORPORAL PUNISHMENT Challenges ? Physical abuse is being perpetrated in schools by teachers who are using beating as a way of disciplining students. This is cultivating a culture of violence in the children in as much as it is causing physical deformations. Recommendations ? Beatings in school must be completely made illegal. CHILD ABUSE Challenges ? Girls are being married at a young age. ? Children are being denied their rights to leisure and protection by the law. Recommendations ? Children must be able to communicate with parents freely without fear and parents should protect their children from potential abusers. ? There should be a law that protects children from child marriages. All those who marry girls below 16 years must be arrested. Young girls should be adequately taught the effects of being married early. ? The police must ensure that abusers are removed from the community and that no one employs a child and that children go to school instead of labouring in the fields. ? The right to leisure and rest must be respected. Sport development should also be taken seriously. ? Children's rights must be in the constitution so that abusers are dealt with by the law. GOVERNANCE Challenges ? Children are forced to join adults in political meetings and are made to act as adults in supporting political parties and groups. Recommendations ? Children should not be forced to participate and should be protected from those who force them to participate during election campaigns. ? The new constitution should criminalize forcing children to participate in politics. 2.6. DISTRICT: PROVINCE: VENUE: DATE: PARTICIPANTS: RUSHINGA DISTRICT MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE MARYMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL 16 JUNE 2010 258 CHILDREN (197 GIRLS AND 61 BOYS) CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS BIRTH REGISTRATION Challenges ? Some officers at the Registrar General's offices treat children's parents unfairly by asking for bribes. ? Some children without birth certificates fail to get Form 1 places and participate in sporting activities. Recommendations ? There must be justice and transparency at registration offices. All corrupt officers should be arrested as OVCs do not have money to bribe them. ? The government should reintroduce mobile registration where OVCs should be allowed to register themselves. ? Children's right to identity must be enshrined in the constitution. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 17