Luanda: The Speaker of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, on Wednesday advocated for continued investment in education and maternal and child health as part of public policies, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Cerqueira made her remarks during the opening of a meeting commemorating the Convention on the Rights of the Child. She highlighted that such investments are crucial for fostering learning and the overall well-being of children as they mature. Cerqueira also urged parliamentarians to ensure that children’s rights are effectively implemented within communities and families, aiming to reduce gender inequalities.
Cerqueira pointed out the devastating impact of conflicts in southern Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region, on affected populations, especially children. She emphasized the need to address severe challenges such as psychologic
al trauma, school dropouts, military conscription, forced child labor, and other forms of exploitation, advocating for zero tolerance towards such issues as outlined in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
She further noted that many initiatives are underway at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) level to implement the Model Law, encouraging member states to adopt programs and policies supporting child development and family welfare. Cerqueira underscored the necessity of significant investment across various societal sectors to prioritize children’s well-being.
The meeting was organized by the National Assembly’s 8th Committee on the Family, Children, and Social Action, in collaboration with the FP-SADC’s Health, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, HIV-AIDS, and Governance Project. The event, themed ‘Inclusion and Protection of Children with Disabilities at Every Stage of Life,’ aimed to provide a platform for children and young people with disabilities to express their opi
nions and engage with decision-makers.
UNICEF’s deputy representative in Angola, Andrew Trevett, along with members of the National Assembly, civil society representatives, and ministerial departments, attended the event. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, remains a cornerstone in advocating for children’s rights, emphasizing non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, and the importance of children’s opinions.
Angola, having signed the Convention in 1990, is among the 41 African countries committed to upholding these rights, as per the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The global acceptance of the Convention, ratified by 196 countries, underscores its significance as a fundamental human rights instrument.
