Mozambique: Unicef trains MPs to protect children’s rights

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Mozambique: Unicef trains MPs to protect children’s rights

9:19 CAT | 04 Dec 2019

Photo: Twitter / @UNICEF_Moz

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is to train members of the Mozambican parliament in matters of child rights protection, under a memorandum signed on Tuesday in Maputo.

“We intend to strengthen the capacity of newly elected MPs to legislate in favour of children,” said UNICEF’s representative in Mozambique, Marcoluigi Corsi, moments after the signing of the agreement in the Mozambican parliament.

UNICEF considered parliamentarians to be ‘key actors’ in the protection and promotion of children’s rights, considering that it is their responsibility to approve laws, policies, strategies and budgets, said Corsi.

The memorandum will cover a period of three years (2019-2021) and it is expected that parliamentarians will improve their capacities to exercise their legislative, supervisory and representative functions in the area of children’s rights.

The United Nations agency said protection is a fundamental aspect and, therefore, one of the goals of training is to ensure the implementation of public policies already approved, including legislation to combat forced marriages in Mozambique.

According to Unicef data, about 48% of Mozambican children live in absolute poverty, which makes them vulnerable to situations of violation of their rights.

Among the main challenges related to minors in the country, the emphasis has been on early marriages, with 48% of girls getting married before the age of 18, according to official data.

UNICEF e Assembleia da República de Moçambique reforçam seu compromisso pelo bem-estar da criança moçambicana. pic.twitter.com/8MOEL1AK5Z

— UNICEF Moçambique (@UNICEF_Moz) December 3, 2019