DISTRICT CONSULTATIONS REPORTS CHAPTER 2: Recommendations · Children should not be beaten for coming late because they walk long distances to school. · Children should choose where it is proper to be beaten. CHILD ABUSE Challenges · Girls are being forced into early marriages. · Some children do not report child abuse probably because they are not aware of the importance of reporting cases of child abuse. Recommendations · Adults who engage in child marriages must be given harsher sentences. PROTECTION ? Challenges ? Girls who are over 16 years are treated as mature and are married even before attaining the age of 18 years. ? Some policemen do not value child abuse cases only because children are young. ? Recommendations ? Maturity age should be raised to 25 years so as to avoid child marriages. ? Policemen who do not take heed of children's problems should be suspended from duty. 2.14 DISTRICT: PROVINCE: VENUE: DATE: PARTCIPANTS: NKAYI DISTRICT MATEBELELAND NORTH PROVINCE NKAYI SECONDARY SCHOOL 25 JUNE 2010 102 CHILDREN (55 GIRLS AND 47 BOYS) CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS BIRTH REGISTRATION Challenges ? Many children are failing to do sporting activities, access assistance and aid from NGOs and write examinations because they do not have birth certificates. Recommendations ? The government should allow children without birth certificates to write examinations. ? Schools should assist children without birth certificates to acquire them. CHILD HEADED FAMILIES Challenges ? There are children living within child headed families. Recommendations ? Churches, relatives, members of the community and NGOs which deal with children should send children within child headed families to children's homes or take care of such children. CHILD LABOUR Challenges ? Teachers give children more work than necessary. They send children to collect firewood and fetch water. ? Children work very hard at home before going to school. Recommendations ? Teachers should stop sending children to do their personal errands. ? Children must not work before going to school but they should work after school. CHILD PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS Children's consultations CONSOLIDATED REPORT 36