Children’s rights in
Swaziland are under protected and are in a ‘difficult situation,’ according to
a global survey.
The kingdom, ruled by King
Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, scored 6.07 out of ten
in The Realization of Children’s Rights Index
(RCRI).
This is a grade between zero and ten
that shows the level of realization of children’s rights in a country. The lower the score, the lower is the
realisation of rights. The RCRI index classified rights for children in
Swaziland as a ‘difficult situation’.
The survey was conducted by
Humanium, an international child sponsorship NGO dedicated to stopping
violations of children’s rights throughout the world.
In a report Humanium highlighted a number of
areas where children’s rights were violated. It said that some children ‘remain
starving’ while the King ‘leads a lifestyle of luxury’.
It reported, ‘Along
with the general economic slowdown as in all countries and the significant
increase in unemployment these factors have made numerous households – already unable
to feed their own children – turn away orphans or other needy children who
would, in other times, be welcomed in the name of the “extended family.”
‘Even though some schools
can offer daily, adequate lunches to children thanks to external financial aid,
there are still many who remain starving, notably in the country.
‘It should be noted that
the government is several months late in paying for aid for needy children, yet
the King leads a lifestyle of luxury.’
Humanium added, ‘The health, hygienic, and water supply systems are
in poor condition and have led to an outbreak of illnesses such as cholera and
diarrheal sicknesses that still kill many children.
‘Each day children beg
their neighbors for water. Many schools do not have running water and must
count on deliveries from the government to fill their reservoirs during the dry
season. However, this doesn’t always happen in zones that are further away.’
It added, ‘By necessity,
many children become prostitutes to survive. Given the level of poverty,
exploitation and sexual services are rising. The lack of measures taken to
raise awareness and prevent these types of practices towards children is
deplorable.’
The report is not the only one to highlight
the plight of children in Swaziland. In April 2016, UNICEF
– the United Nations Children’s Fund – reported it needed US$151,200 for its
Child Protection work relating to the drought that has hit Swaziland. In
June 2016 it reported that no money at all was forthcoming. It estimated
that 189,000 children under the age of 18 were affected by the drought.
UNICEF reported in April 2016, ‘The UNICEF Child
Protection and HIV response remains unfunded. Consequently, activities
prioritizing protection of children from violence, abuse and exploitation and
the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, both of which are long standing
issues in Swaziland, remain to be implemented.’
Disabled
children are also mistreated in Swaziland. Earlier in July 2016, the Times
of Swaziland, the only independent daily newspaper in the
kingdom, reported that two disabled
orphan children in Swaziland had been hidden from the world after a government
official told their family it would harm the image of the kingdom if people
knew of their condition.
The newspaper reported, ‘Their
family was allegedly given strict instructions not to ever show the children to
anyone or even discuss their condition in public.
‘It has been alleged by the
head of the family where the two children stay that officials from certain
government offices barred and gave strict instructions not to show the children
to anyone because making their condition known would place the country in bad
light.’
The newspaper added, ‘The
children suffer from a rare disability and some of those who know about
the children suspect they suffer from polio.’
Also, a report
on people trafficking in Swaziland published in 2014 said the King used
forced child labour to work in his fields. ‘Swazi chiefs may coerce children
and adults - through threats and intimidation - to work for the King,’ the
report from the United States State Department said.
ZERO
FUNDS TO PROTECT KIDS FROM DROUGHT
SICK KIDS ‘HIDDEN TO SAVE IMAGE OF KINGDOM’
KIDS
FORCED TO WEED KING’S FIELDS
No comments:
Post a Comment