Children submitted to danger and suffering - ROSC

Bo le t im I n f o rm a t iv o
1
Distribuição gratuita | nº 006 | Trimestral | Maio | 2013
Survival war in Hulene Trash Dump
Children submitted to
danger and suffering
Pag.
10 & 11
The State is unable to protect children’s rights,
João Pereira – MASC Director
Pag.
4&5
ROSC
Mozambican Civil Society forum of child ritghs
ROSC
MISSION
ROSC (Forum of Civil Society for Child Rights) is a forum
with national and international members committed and
engaged with fulfillment of Child Rights in Mozambique.
Contribute for coordination and strengthening of a national
movement of Civil Society Organizations intervening on
Child Rights, mobilizing resources, facilitating partnerships
among stakeholders engaged in improving the integrated
and harmonious development of the child in National
Agenda.
VISION
The children in Mozambique, totally usufruct their legal
enshrined rights.
ROSC OBJECTIVES
VALUES
•
•
Main objective is to contribute for the holistic and
harmonious child development in Mozambique, through
coordination among Civil Society Organizations to
provide better implementation of social policies and of
national and international legislation related to Child
Rights.
•
•
Full respect of human being and of Child Rights
Holistic approach in promoting Human Rights and
Child Rights;
Free child participation in issues related to Child Rights;
Full integrity and responsibility in fulfilling Child Rights.
THE PILLARS OF ROSC
•
•
•
•
Development of the institutional capacities of the
Civil Society Organizations oriented for Child Rights.
Advocacy of Social Policies and Monitoring of their
application.
Production and Sharing of Information on Child
Situation in Mozambique.
Coordination and Strengthening of Partnerships.
Members of the Board
Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da Comunidade
Bairro da Coop, Rua B, N. 247 | Maputo – Moçambique
Telefax:. +258-21418753
[email protected] | www.rosc.org.mz
editoria
PNAC II: another challenge..
The Mozambican government has shown signs that demonstrate their intention in seeking better policies and strategies to ensure
the promotion and protection of children’s rights. To this end, the government recently approved the second National Plan of Action
for Children (PNAC II), to be implemented by 2019. However it must be stressed that in practical terms it is not enough to adopt the
instrument which theoretically expresses the government’s intention to place children as the center in policy development projects
in the country.
This prioritization should be manifested in practical terms, with clear and concrete actions so, that children no longer die from chronic
malnutrition, malaria, and HIV or from being raped. This intention must be expressed with actions that take place immediately so
that thousands of Mozambican girls victims of harmful traditional practices such as early marriage are protected; children with disabilities have access to education and other support services, and that all children have greater access to birth registration and health
services anywhere in the country.
In our view, having a child as the centre in policy definition and development projects in the country, in the least, puts the child in the
centre of strategic planning and budgeting of the country which right until the moment this is not happening.
It is important that this does not become just another document, another plan, another policy whose end is its mere existence.
Indeed, it has been so in many cases and as an example we have the National Council of Child Rights (CNAC), which generated a lot of
expectations on its creation, and it works in an intermittent manner. Little or nothing is known of what is produced.
The child protection laws that were approved pompously remain virtually unknown even within the agents of the state, whose obligation is to ensure respect; and protection of these rights are ignored without any accountability, the rights to education, health and
drinking water remains a mirage especially for underprivileged children; effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights
of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights of the Child are still far from desired.
All these points refer to the need of PNAC II to be a document for effective implementation so that that the targets are taken seriously
and as a priority by each institution. One cannot expect there to be improvements in the quality of maternal and child health services,
quality education, access to water, nor that there is prevention of child abuse just because this intention was manifested in the PNAC
II. In other words, the simple fact that the NAPAC II has been approved does not ensure compliance with the targets set for 2019.
To achieve the goals set out in PNAC, it will be necessary for each institution to plan, support and mobilize resources in a coordinated
way to put into practice the actions that ultimately will contribute to the realization of the objectives and targets set in this important
document. The PNAC II must be disclosed in all institutions responsible for its implementation so that they can incorporate in their
annual plans. The same should be done for the main Government partners starting with the civil society.
Otherwise we will be facing another mountain that ultimately will give birth to a mouse.
Editorial and Technical crew
Alert in Tete: Raises the number of child prostitution and
child beggars
PAG.
6&7
Nutrição e assistência a criança requer abordagem
multisectorial – Edna Possolo, Chefe do Departamento de Nutrição do MISAU…
PAG.
12 & 13
Ficha técnica
Coordination: Albino Francisco
Edition: Dércio Alfazema
Colaboration: Ruben Cossa, Moisés Cuambe
e Bernardo Mbembele
LayOut and Paging: Zowona
Circulation: 1500 copies
Membros Fundadores do ROSC
Associação Wona Sanana (AWS), Fórum de Rádios Comunitárias (FORCOM), Iniciativa de Esperança para a Criança Africana
(HACI), Rede de Comunicadores Amigos da Criança (RECAC), Plataforma de Protecção Social, Instituto para o Desenvolvimento da Criança (Zizile – IDC), Movimento de Educação para Todos (MEPT), Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da Comunidade (FDC), Rede Contra o Abuso de Menores (Rede Came), Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Education
Trust (WLSA), Centro de Aprendizagem e Capacitação da Sociedade Civil (CESC), Associação Criança, Família e Desenvolvimento (CFD), Rede Crista Contra HIV e SIDA em Moçambique, Associação NGUNI (NGUNI), Mulher, Lei e Desenvolvimento
(Muleide), Associação Rede de Protecção de criança de Sofala (SOPROC), Action Aid Moçambique, Douleurs Sans Frontières
(DSF), Plan International e ChildFund International.
4
B oletim I nfor m ati vo |
D e s t aq ue
A Civil Society unable to Influence
Processes
“The highest cost the Mozambican State may have, is to marginalize children”
- The State shows incapacity to protect children’s rights, says João Pereira, MASC Director in
an exclusive interview with the magazine ELOS.
The issue of promotion of child’s rights in the country remains a top priority in the Government’s agenda. Several civil society organizations have been
increasing efforts to defend the rights of the child. However, two occurrences in our society are obstructing efforts triggered by different actors working
for the rights of the child.
The most symptomatic phenomenon is the crisis within the family institution and the proliferation of social networking. The other phenomenon is the
inability of the state to materialize their commitments in addition to a civil society which is also unable to influence processes in Mozambique, warns
João Pereira, Director of Support Mechanism of Civil Society (MASC).
Force on the government to operationalize the
instruments and to promote and protect the children’s
rights, should be a major priority of the Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs). However, at this point of time, it
does not perceive this attitude, since the CSOs have
nearly exhausted the arguments about gender and
education, with the civil society organizations’ attention
focused on social issues related to the new topic of the
day. - the mining industry in the country.
“The major problem of our NGOs at all levels, is that the
issues are addressed spontaneously and there is not
a schedule of continuity, in how the issues should be
addressed, with the exception of issues such as rape or
child abductions, etc.” argues João Pereira, for whom the
greatest problem of our Civil Society Organizations is that
“are sectorized”, which does not allow a joint vision and
strategic action about the unique issues and phenomena
that occur in almost all parts of the world. “
An important question to which João Pereira draws
attention, has to do with investment on perusing and
promoting children’s rights and states that“the highest cost
the State anywhere in the world can have is to marginalize
the child”, refuting the argument that the high investment
cost in adequate education, health and social services for
children are the reasons for not achieving the agenda for
the promotion and protection of rights.
Challenges ahead…
In the country’s recent history and after a long civil war,
Mozambique launched a new phase, signing of the
Rome agreement in 1992, which would put an end to
what can be seen as the most severe form of violation
of human rights. With the end of armed conflict, a new
socio-political scenario began to emerge, with particular
concern for a broad debate on the defense and promotion
of human rights and children in particular.
In this context, have emerged different interest groups,
which gave a major boost in achieving the goals of
protecting and promoting the interests of the child.
An important opportunity for accommodation and
establishment of the interests of these groups, came
with the acceptance of various international and regional
instruments and others with wider scope, such as the
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child,
the United Nations Convection of the Child Rights,
Laws of Organization of Guardianship of Minors, Human
Trafficking of persons, in particular Women and Children.
However, new challenges are pressing every day, but at
the same time it requires that, Mozambique materialize
its commitments on the rights of children. The examples
are many and we can refer to cases where a close fight
is needed for example, sexual abuse , which is a reality
that is gaining alarming contours in the current social
context.
Parallel, and no less importan , is the need to allocate
more funds to the State budget, as well as qualified and
dedicated activists and personnel performing activities
aimed at an effective promotion of child rights and
interventions against any kind of violations. In any
case, there is a unanimous position that the Government
of Mozambique has effectively demonstrated some
commitment to the protection and promotion of child
rights in the country. According to the country statistics
there are about 11.6 million children, representing
about half of the total population.
However, several of the adverse conditions have been
waving in the opposite direction at the speed with which
Bo le t im I n f o rm a t iv o
the instruments, were formally brought to the national
level. This question opens up space for a new debate on
the role of Civil Society Organizations in protecting and
promoting child rights in the country.
Widespread crisis of the
family institutions and social
networks
The problem of the protection of children’s rights cannot
be seen only from the perspective of the crisis in the
family and social networks.
For João Pereira, the protection of rights must also
be analyzed within a context in which the negative
effects of instability within the family can be added
to the problems of social networks. The MASC Director
suggests that it is time to take into account that
the phenomenon is contributing to the violation of
children’s rights in our country.
Although Mozambique is subject of several international
acclaim for being an example of compliance with the
United Nations Recommendations on the protection
5
of children’s rights, factual reality shows failures in the
implementation of these Commitments ratified.
health, social protection, among others, should be coded in
three to four times more than it is occurring now. “
The situation of abandonment in which children with
disabilities are subjected to, especially in rural areas,
high rates of early marriage and the increment of child
prostitution are clear signs of the lack of clear and effective
strategies and who should do what, when and how.
“There are still a considerable number of children who are
deprived access to a school that offers quality education.
The same happens in the health sector that does not
provide services with the quality and means suited to the
requirements. The social services are far from providing
adequate services, and this situation becomes more acute
as we move further to the cities, he explains, adding that
this situation stems from the lack of appropriate means
and mechanisms suited to the country’s circumstances.
With regard to the social networks, that should be
seen as positive elements for developing people’s
communications, but is shown to be dangerous
instruments for child safety. It is through the social
networks that it is possible to lure children into trafficking
nets, sexual abuse and other risks due to an inefficient
control system.
“A completely incomprehensible problem relates to the
inability of the Mozambican state to fulfill its obligations
regarding the protection of children’s rights,” says João
Pereira, and added “how can we conceive that a child is
not a State priority?”
Continuously, he justifies its position by arguing that, for
example, “the budget allocation for matters like education,
As advocates the MASC Director, the solution implies the
mobilization of civil society to press the State in order to
provide answers to these problems. At the end of the day,
the state’s inability ends up undermining all efforts made
by the Government, partners and the civil society itself.
This pressure demands partially in “developing a
persuasion campaign aimed at the Parliamentarians,
Politicians, Civil Society Organizations, including society
in general regarding the issues related to the children’s
rights and advocate that those rights should be placed
on top of the agenda at all places, “he argues. (ELOS). |
6
B oletim I nfor m ati vo |
D e s t aq ue
An alert and worrying
signal In Tete
An increase in child prostitution and the number of child beggars
Expectations around the news about the revival
of the coal industry in the center of the country,
with particular in Moatize, Tete province, begin
to emit signals of concern especially for Civil
Society Organizations. These are concerns that
apparently pass right beside decision makers
and those who have to act.
This actually happens in recent times which
have been characterized by heated debates
around the growth of the mining industry in the
country, and the cost of living for those rated
already as disadvantaged populations around
Moatize and Tete province.
Despite numerous legal instruments for the protection
of children against all forms of violence and abuse,
when it comes to the field of implementing, the things
do not happen as it should. New concerns are emerging
from the organizations working in the area of social
protection in the Tete province.
One of the signs which have been characterizing the sad
scenario in those areas is seeing children exchanging
the school for the streets where they prostitute
themselves or beg.
During the day, at strategic points such as traffic lights,
junctions and café’s, it is common to find children with
unkempt appearance and crying, especially to drivers
and pedestrians for coins and food leftovers. When the
night comes, they are seen parading around corners
and restaurants to exchange the body for money.
Rosario Torres, Programme Officer of Friendly Support
Foundation, a partner organization and ROSC member
says, although not advancing numbers, considers
the new tendency is a huge problem in a city that is
becoming a reference in the country’s economy.
Our partner shares the view that the increasing number
of children living in these conditions is related to the
living cost that is relatively higher on that part of the
country. Rosario Torres said that the problem is also
associated with the fact that most of the families living
in the province depend solely on agriculture, surviving
without any other additional income that can ensure
the satisfaction of other pressing needs.
These are families that are already living in a state of
poverty and, given the rising cost of living they become
more prone to extreme poverty and misery.
This is a fact! Widely spread data which appears in
various government assessment reports and studies
states that the Mozambican economy is growing and
is becoming strong and, the it is underway the process
of equitable distribution of wealt.
However, everyday reality indicates the reverse stated
in these reports, which is justified not only by the
desperation of families but also by the growing number
of children who engage in prostitution and begging in
streets of Tete.
Alongside this situation, our interlocutor expressed
a concern about the reasons and the little and
symptomatic lack of accountability of government
and State institutions, which ends up justifying the
involvement of children in lifestyles little worthy. When
we tried to find out the reasons why some children
Bo le t im I n f o rm a t iv o
prostitute themselves, some say it is for their survival,
but in other cases it is to feed an easy life and whims,
which the parents are not able to provide. Curious note
is the fact that most of the children involved in the
prostitution have an appearance of coming from urban
areas refers Rosario Torres.
Efforts to enforce laws
that protect the child
Contacted for comment on the matter, the Provincial
Director of Social Affairs in Tete, Ana Paulo Ferreira,
considered it to be a fact that the mining industry in
the province boosted the economy by placing greater
volume of goods and services in circulation.
Particularly in the cities of Tete and Moatize the flow of
money into the pockets and the increased movement
of people from different parts of the country to the
neighboring countries, has accelerated considerably
in recent years, which in turn, contributes to the
adoption of new practices and social behaviors by local
populations.
Although there are no official data, concrete reports
or studies that are able to prove this tendency, it is
clear that movement of people and money and rise of
prostitution particularly child prostitution.
Ahead, Ana Paula Ferreira explains that the Social
Affairs in Tete have been triggerring efforts to ensure
compliance with the law that prohibits access to
children in places of nightlife, which are considered
as places where they become more prone to practice
activities not suitable to their status.
The implementation of those policies in order to comply
with the law, has been made in coordination with
various entities such as economic and tourism agents,
government authorities including the police, says Ana
Paula Ferreira.
Mozambique is a subscriber of various international
agreements for the protection of children. According
to the recommendations made by the UN Committee
on the Rights of the Child, a systematic assessment of
the situation of children living in the streets should be
taken, in order to get an accurate figure of the extent of
the problem and causes and, therefore, to develop and
implement comprehensive policies to minimize or even
eliminate these occurrences. At the same time, the
country should adopt urgent measures with deadlines
to eliminate child prostitution while providing children
with conditions for their rehabilitation and social
reintegration, without, of course neglecting the issue of
gender. In short, Tete is a clear example of that matters
relating to the protection of children, continuing to
escape the authorities’ control. (ELOS) |
Mais Meninas em Tete
trocam escola por vida
noturna.
7
8
B oletim I nfor m ati vo |
N o t í ci as
CSOs in Nampula:
Concerns about the
situation of children
with disabilities
actions that promotes and materialize the rights of
the child, since the support that the province provides,
covers about ten thousand children. As example,
he advised to mobilize national and international
partners, which would include religious organizations,
businesses, persons of good will to support the
promotion of activities that contribute to the realization
of children’s rights.
CSOs in Tete
empowered to
monitor public
policies
About thirty participants from the Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs), religious and academic institutions
in Nampula Province, took part in an event organized by
the Civil Society Forum for the Rights of Children (ROSC)
in partnership with the Solidarity Zambezia (ASZ .) In this
event the participants debated about the protection of
children with greater focus on children with disabilities.
The participants used the occasion to raise issues
beyond the problem of children with disabilities. A
troubling case in Nampula, relates to the fact that girls
with ages ranging from 12 to 15 years are being put to
study at night shift at school, due to lack of vacancies in
other academic timetables.
About 30 civil society organizations working to fulfill
children’s rights in Tete Province have benefited
recently from a training on Monitoring and Advocacy
of Public Policies, promoted by the Civil Society Forum
for the Rights of Children (ROSC) with the collaboration
of Provincial Network for Child Protection. This training
was supported by Unicef, one of the ROSC partners.
At the meeting, the government was represented by
Mr Ahaet Daudo, the Head of the Department of Social
Affairs at provincial directorate, that highlighted the
fact that the province is one of the most populated
in the country, and hence the fact, that there are
many more children lacking care. Data from the last
population census conducted in 2007 by the National
Institute of Statistics indicates that Nampula province
has a population of about 3,985,613 inhabitants, of
which, more than half is estimated to be children.
On this occasion, Daudo challenged the civil society
to continue to mobilize more partners to support the
These measures from the school authorities literally
expose girls to various risks including harassment and
rape either by teachers, classmates and even strangers
to the school environment.
At the end of the meeting the participants outlined
joint interventions to address issues that jeopardize the
rights of the child in the province. The participants also
committed to maintain systematic meetings to share
information, experiences, working methodologies and
resources in order to achieve better results in promoting
and protecting the rights and welfare of the child.
The training was conducted by elements assigned to
ROSC and addressed relevant issues such as monitoring
of policy, plan and program of the provincial government
as well as national and international legislation that
protects and promotes the rights of children.
The participants gained knowledge on how to monitor
policies and local development plans with a focus on
children and taking into consideration the specificities
of the local contexts and the province in general.
For that, the participants took into the account the
Provincial Economic and Social Plan (PES) that also
includes actions of interventions for child protection.
Bo le t im I n f o rm a t iv o
National
Commission on
Human Rights is
open to collaborate
with civil society
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
expressed the interest in working in coordination
with the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to develop
activities towards the promotion and protection of
child rights in Mozambique.
The interest in collaborating with such organizations
was expressed by Mr. Custódio Duma, the Commission
President during a meeting organized by the Civil Society
Forum for the Rights of the Child - ROSC, and attended by
representatives of several civil society organizations.
Cenário da Mesa
Redonda entre CNDH
e Sociedade Civil.
In this training were also disseminated knowledge
on advocacy based on evidences collected during
monitoring activities. Based on these issues, the
participants are now able, to not only monitor the
effective implementation of the government’s plans, but
also carry out advocacy activities planned to influence
policies to put into practice the recommendations
made by the United Nations Report of the Government
on implementation on the Convention of the Rights of
the Child.
Based on planning tools taught during the training
the participants were organized in working groups
to develop an action plan for monitoring the
implementation of the provincial plan. Acting as
provincial network, the participants are aiming to look
at implementation of the provincial plan (PES) focused
on children including the UN recommendations.
With regards to the monitoring activities, the
participants intend to collect evidences to enable the
Provincial Network influence the process of decision
making on the protection of the child in Tete Province.
9
Early marriages:
OSC set the
intervention
strategies
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), ROSC
members and partners, acting in the area of child
protection and girls, are giving steps towards the
establishment of a joint agenda for action to tackle
the problem of Early marriages in Mozambique.
The group named “Civil Society Coalition Against
Early marriage” whose main mission is to contribute
to the elimination of this practice in Mozambique,
has been meeting regularly to share information
regarding the issue and coordinate mechanisms for
intervention.
The purpose of this meeting was to provide a space
where organizations could learn more about the
functioning of the NHRC and its mandate and share
some issues related to the protection of children and
women, who are considered the most vulnerable group
in Mozambique.
The Coalition is part of a global movement against
child marriages denominated “Girls Not Brides”
which aims to eliminate this practice in the world
by 2030. In Mozambique this initiative has been
streamlined by ROSC, who is also a member of this
global movement.
“The Commission will work as a valid partner of CSOs
working in the area of children, and we will also work
with institutions like the State and Government, in
particular the Council of Ministers, Ministry of Justice,
the National Assembly, as well as with the President
of the Republic. We are also ready to interact and
participate in timely and active manner defending
the rights of people, where and when the rights are
jeopardized, added Mr. Duma.
Several national and international organizations
have been active in the group, which consists
mainly of, the National Forum of Community Radios
(FORCOM), Network Against Child Abuse, Education
for All Movement (MEPT), Wona Sanana, Action Aid
Mozambique, Child Line, Communicators Network
and Friends of Children (RECAC), Plan International,
Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), Terre
des Hommes Germany, Save the Children, World
Vision and the United Nations (UNICEF, UNFPA and
UNWOMEN .)
He also referred the willingness of the NHRC to be a
spokesperson for the CSOs at regional and international
levels and interact with organizations such as the
African Union (AU), the Commonwealth of Countries
for the Southern African Development Community
(SADC), United Nations organizations, among others.
Participants, in turn, used the occasion to be exposed
to some challenging situations about children’s rights
violations where the State itself is the main perpetrator
refusing certain fundamental rights and conditions
for children, especially the right for education and
health. Regarding to the establishment of the National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the committee
of experts on the Rights of the Child United Nations
recommended in its mandate, to be able to monitor
children’s rights under the Convention and establish
procedures through which, complaints about violations
of their rights of children can be addressed.
Mozambique has one of the highest rates of early
marriage in the world. More recent data indicates
that the country holds worldwide, the seventh
position in the ranking of countries with the highest
rates of early marriage. At continent level holds
the sixth position and in Eastern and Southern
Africa region, the first position, with a national
average of 52% of girls who married before age
18. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS
2008), shows that 18% of girls between 20 and 24
years were married before age 15, which always
ultimately compromises these girls’ right to have
access to a healthy and dignified life. |
10
B oletim I nfor m ati vo |
R e p o rt agem
Survival War in trash dump in Hulene
CHILDREN SUBMITTED
TO DANGER AND
SUFFERING
Just over a hundred children move daily in the early morning hours, to the trash dump
in Hulene district, in the outskirts of Mozambican capital, Maputo.
These children go to this location in order to get survival means, even if they have to
get into dispute with adults. The children whose ages range from 9-16 years trade
school to face a scary struggle to get ( hopefully) recyclables, food leftovers and other
goods in that location, which is considered the largest trash dump in Maputo since the
independence.
The children come mostly from extremely poor families and, as a result, they are forced
to face the game of all or nothing, in search of livelihoods to survive or enhance the
family income.
Among those children are orphans who, because of their circumstances are forced
to play the role of head of family, which leads them to live inhuman conditions,
endangering their healthy and safe growth.
The ELOS team , descended to the trash dump to closely monitor the day-to-day life of
these children. The team found no encouraging results and claims for an urgent and
concerted action by government authorities and civil society organizations (CSOs) to
minimize the adverse effect that result from the precarious conditions. The ELOS team
witnessed children carrying bundles containing recyclable solid waste such as bottles
and plastic bags, all in search of livelihoods.
About these children a passerby commented “they are now masters of their own
destiny” and the saddest thing is that some of them were forced to leave school due to
the hard conditions imposed on their lives”.
A land under the rule
of elders
especially when they realize that it comes from the
press. That is why we were quite stressed within that
environment.
We arrived at trash dump in Hulene around 6:00 am
guided by two young men who earn their living by
collecting and selling solid waste. The instruction
received from the “local government” was that the
presence of strangers is not allowed to the place without
the company of someone influential in that local. The
message was immediately welcomed and everything
went without incident.
To photograph and make conversation we had to rely
on the complicity of someone influential within that
community in order not to violate the internal and
established order. All of a sudden, we came across a child
who was about 4 years old. The child was sitting alone
in a sea of garbage. A mother was nearby engaged in
collecting and selecting solid waste. The child was clearly
exposed to all the dangers caused by smoke of burning
waste, a situation which puts him at risk of serious lung
diseases.
Matias and João, our guides, are young men of
approximately 30 years of age, who offered themselves
to facilitate our entry and to protect our physical
integrity. The fact is that, the garbage collectors are
typically individuals, hostile to the presence of strangers,
In the crowd of garbage collectors, we noted the presence
of about 15 children, some of them with improvised
footwear. The place was filled with pieces of broken
bottles and glass, sharp iron objects, creating a risk of
causing serious injury, Matias testified as our guide.
Matias says that some of the children who make it to that
place are starving and others are orphaned, exposed to
immense vulnerability. Our guide tells us that, some of
the kids are given to the third parties due to poverty and
suffering affecting original families.
There are many children brought here due to the suffering
in their homes. “I know a child who is now 14 years whose
mother abandoned him and went to South Africa with
another man. He has been living alone for three years
and to survive comes here to collect garbage “,said Matias
who sadly regrets the situation and adds that the group
of children who daily make the dump trash includes girls.
He explains that, some are led by parents who also have
that site a source for survival.
Bo le t im I n f o rm a t iv o
With an expression of someone who
is already used to these situations, our
guide digs into the material before us
stumbles upon disposable diapers used
by adult patients. “More dangerous
than this, is the fact that authorities
are aware that life there, is a constant
challenge. João said that “these
disposable diapers come from adults
who may suffer from chronic and
contagious diseases, and is brought
there endangering people’s health.”
Our guide laments what he calls a lack
of sensitivity from the government
authorities related to the citizens’
problems. The source says that
whenever officials from the city council
visit the site, they stop at the entrance,
and suggest that they should go to
see the irregularities and the situation
we live in here. Maybe they could
take it more seriously and be more
careful with the medical waste that is
deposited there. “
In the same approach, Joao recalls that
recently the garbage pickers found
significant amounts of ammunition,
and said that due to lack of supervision
on materials that are deposited, there
have been situations in which military
equipment such as rockets and mortars
were deposited which endangers the
lives of those, who use the site as a
source of survival especially when it
comes to the time to burn the waste.
Uma criança que aguarda
a mãe que procura sustento na lixeira de Hulene.
The danger of hospital
waste
João one of the ELOS guide lamented the existing lack of
organization in the site, with regard to the type of waste
that is deposited. He stressed particularly about hospital
waste which he said, “ it is dumped here carelessly.”
It is simply a gruesome scenario! Plastic bags with used
syringes, gloves, serum materials, including blood bags.
“This can cause diseases, because if someone is pricked
by these needles, it may be the gateway to a disease”
explains our guide, adding that “there are cases in which,
children take some of the hospital waste like serum and
syringes to use as toys” .
“There are mothers carrying babies to
the trash dump. They do it, because
they have no one to leave the babies
with, at home, as they need to go
there to look for something to survive.
11
Clearly, these children are subject to contract diseases
from inhaling smoke from burning of several products”
says Cristalina Langa and then adds that the children who
make it to that place in search of pieces of iron, aluminum
and copper, to sell it to scrap yards or to the people who
make pots, buckets and other goods.
Simply Serious
The ELOS contacted Livaningo, an envoirmental Civil
Society Organization that fight for the closure of trash
dump in Hulene for over a decade. For this organization
classifies as inconceivable, the presence of children in
that local and incomprehensible that the dump trash has
not been e closed yet.
For Antonio Reina, General-Director of Livaningo,
“only the proliferation of children in that location is a
complicated situation and needs an urgent solution from
the government institutions”. About the hospital waste
that are dumped there without the slightest care, Reina
explains that the Livaningo is aware of the problem and
reported numerous times to the City Council, but today
the situation prevails the same, endangering the health
of people who work there .
We reported to the municipal authorities, including
the situation documented with photos to prove it, but
nothing is being done in order to end the situation,”
says Antonio Reina, who goes further by stating that
“the problem of hospital waste is not only in Hulene;
we observed the same scenario in Matola. This happens
because there is a serious problem about the prior
selection and control of waste that end up in the trash
dump. If one day it is ammunition, then the next day it is
hospital waste. It’s serious. “ |
12
B oletim I nfor m ati vo |
E nt re vi s t a
Entrevista sobre nutrição e assistência a criança
A multisectoral approach will help to
reach goals – says Edna Possolo
Positive Signs in children’s access to health care
The results regarding the coverage of health care services in the country has been showing encouraging signs. Growing expectations about the results of
the “National health weeks” which also carries the application of vitamin A supplement . As a result of national health weeks, there was an increase on
the application of vitamin A supplement, which in routine coverage were around 30% and currently stands at 100%.
The education of women is imperative for the health of the family but it is also necessary to a multi-sectoral approach to ensure full access of the child
to public health. A multisectoral approach involves the operationalization of the strategic plan with the guidelines and coordinated action between the
Ministry of Health - MOH and other key partners such as the Ministry of Education, Social affairs and Industry and Trade.
Some interesting explanations are extracted from a short interview with Dr. Edna Germarck Possolo, Dietitian and Head of Nutrition Department,
attached to the National Directorate of Public Health in the Health Ministry. Some of the answers are transcribed in long, but contains an important
element that is worth following closely.
Elos – How the MOH deals with the
issue of access to health services in
Mozambique?
Edna Possolo (EP) - In terms of access to essential health
care within the public health, Mozambique emphasizes
the so-called vulnerable groups, are women, elderly,
children under five years of age, but also includes other
specific groups at risk of contracting certain diseases.
Elos – How do you deal in particular
with children’s access to health
services?
EP - As anywhere in the world, the Mozambique
Ministry of Health (MOH) pays special attention to the
issues related to the health of the child, ie, the MoH has
priority actions to ensure not only the child’s health but
also the mother.
The first two years of life are important stages because
this is the time that the child establishes. It is a time of
critical growth and development and becomes necessary
to ensure that the child will grow and develop properly in
order to become a healthy adult and all mental faculties
guaranteed to transform and become an individual
with all the productive capital, which can, in the future
contribute and work in the community where is placed.
Bo le t im I n f o rm a t iv o
Elos – What are the specific areas in
which the MOH intervenes?
EP - As mentioned earlier, the first years of life is crucial.
For this there is a program that consists, for example,
to ensure nutrition in the context of health care to the
mother and child. Within this framework there are
preventive care, control actions and treatment. Within
the preventive care we act in order to provide conditions
for proper infant feeding. This begins during gestation
where the woman receives advice about the food, as
well as some nutrients, deworming and vaccinations to
ensure appropriate uterine growth and development.
Elos – Is there another type of service
to face future damage in the child’s
health?
EP - The National Health System establishes
mechanisms to monitor the development of child
health during the growth process. Through this
mechanism, we follow up the evolution of the child’s
weight over a period of time. When the weight graphic
keeps stable ie, does not change positively, it means
that something is not right with the child health. So the
nurse’s task is, to diagnose and make what is necessary
to reverse the situation.
Elos – But there are problems related
to the availability of supplies as well
as human resources in the country.
How can all these plans be ensured?
EP - There are preventive measures. There are health
centers outside the city to ensure such access. In the
health centers there is a nurse who must ensure the
necessary support to the child. In these health centers
the mothers do all the follow-up until the time of
delivery to ensure that the baby develops normally
through the intake of all the medicines and vaccines.
After birth the baby is given a supplement with vitamin
“A”. There are also several postpartum consultations,
where the mother is advised to space the pregnancies.
Ideally, the minimum difference between two babies
is at least two years. The two years represents a time
interval that allows the mother’s body to recover.
Elos – We insist on the availability of
supplies and human resources ....
EP - In this regard I must say that there is a
profound difference between the urban areas
and the peripheral areas. Currently there is more
availability in terms of health facilities and the
presence of nurses in almost any part of the country,
but challenges prevails because the coverage still is
at levels below 30%.
Additionally, the first two years represent a critical
period for the child’s development and after this period
any possible deficit of nutrients in the body becomes
irreversible. There is a need to respect this time for the
benefit of the child - avoiding it is a so-called chronic
malnutrition.
Elos – What is the importance of
Vitamin “A” supplement to a child?
EP - Vitamin “A” works like a vaccine and makes the
child resist diseases, particularly infectious diseases;
also protects children from blindness and ensures a
good sight. It also contributes to a healthier growth and
development of the child. Of course we still do not have
conclusive data that shows us, in what extent the vitamin
A supplement contributes to the results improvement
in Mozambique, because of lack of scientific studies.
But in the world, studies give evidence that Vitamin “A”
supplement contributes to a 30% reduction in measles
and maternal and infant mortality.
Additionally, the MOH is making efforts to improve the
life and work conditions of the health professionals,
especially those who work in rural communities .
We still have a huge rotation problem, because the
women continue to have the right to marry and live
alongside their husbands. This is a problem, but the
point is, that there is a positive trend in access to
health services.
Elos – Is there any institutional
strategy to reach children who live on
the periphery?
EP - The government has a strategic plan to reach
the communities living in remote areas where there
are many children by the way. As I mentioned earlier,
there is growing expansion of services. We also have
the national health weeks to provide preventive
care, such as supplement with vitamin “A”. We
also have vaccination programs for all children in
coordination with the Ministry of Education. The
outcomes are very positive for our health system.
For example, the national health weeks has allowed
100% coverage compared with the routine coverage
of 30% .At this time and as a result of this strategy
we see a remarkable decline in infant mortality.
Certainly, these results are due to expansion of
services, increased numbers of professionals and
infrastructure.
13
Elos – Which scenario you can predict
to definitely ensure the access to
health care for all children?
EP - A number of measures are already in place in
order to ensure full access of children to essential
health care, whether in cities or in the suburbs.
Therefore, to ensure the effective enforcement of child
rights is necessary to give priority to multisectoral
approaches.In other words, we need to ensure greater
access of the child to school, social services, and the
availability of adequate water and sanitation. All this
involves a joint approach and requires that a lot of
work still to be done...
Elos – For you see, what is the
importance of women’s education on
child health and for quality of work of
the health professionals?
EP - (...) we must ensure good education level for
women because it is noted that the levels of chronic
malnutrition are more pronounced among children
whose mothers are below high school, while the
situation is better among women with higher level of
education. For instance, today, the Ministry of Industry
and Trade is preparing to introduce micronutrients
like Vitamin “A”, Zinc, Iron, in rice, oil, flour, corn, etc..,
considered as products of higher consumption among
Mozambican families. This is a more sustainable
strategy in terms of cost and from the moment reach
most of the population; other products that contain
no supplements will be gradually removed from the
market. This strategy will help tackle the problems
of disability due to chronic malnutrition, delayed
intellectual development or limbs atrophy among our
children.
Elos – Challenges ...?
EP - There are a lot. We need to increase the number
of health facilities, increase the coverage of water and
sanitation, we need to even, increase children’s access
to school with better learning quality, including the
increase in the number of the girls in the school.
Anyway, it’s a whole structure that need to be
ensured for the economic and social development
growth. For now, the good thing is that when we
look at the country we notice a tendency for growth.
Now, we need to continue to improve and provide
infrastructure for education and health, and creating
the conditions for change of behavior of people at all
levels. (Elos) |
14
B oletim I nfor m ati vo
Minors in nightlife
locations
Weakness of various stakeholders
Cada vez mais frequente a presença de
crianças em ambientes noturnos.
There is a law in Mozambique, which prohibits minors’
access to clubs and other locations of nightlife.
Contrary to what should happen, in these places
abound children, which show, obvious weaknesses
when it comes to operationalize and supervise this
specific law.
It is known that, there are partnerships to enforce this law,
between State and Government institutions (police and
social affairs departents), economic agents (especially in
the tourism sector) and civil society organizations (child
protection).
What the reality shows, is that partnerships are not
working as planned, and the finger point happens often
with one accusing another of inaction when it comes to
enforce the law.
Should be noted that each of the partners has its
specific task . The problem is that the dissonance
among the partners, the biggest loser is the child
who continues to attend unsuitable places. Despite
of inaction from these players, namely tourist
operators, law enforcement agents, government
etc, it is important to raises the issue of parents and
guardians accountability. As it is known, the minor in
normal circumstances is under the primary custody
of an adult, whether parents, family members or
guardians.
Bo le t im I n f o rm a t iv o
Exceptions are made in relation to the orphaned children
by both parents - It is known that is it a harsh reality of
our country The primary role of parents and guardians is
to ensure proper feeding , health and protection of the
child, which of course in the case of these children, not
being entirely fulfilled. The parents or guardians, who
are closest to the child, are not elements of the existing
partnerships. So we can conclude that, in this case the
overall responsibility cannot solely be attributed to the
tourist operator, or to the law enforcement agents the
forces of law and order.
It is normal in Mozambican families assign the minors to a
various tasks. It’s a healthy habit somehow, if these tasks
are consistent with the minor’s safety and wellbeing.
As some tourist operators says “ the problem also resides
at the family level since it is common to have the little
ones buying alcohol or cigarettes which are practices that
inadvertently stimulate not only curiosity but also the
interaction with products not recommended for them”.
So, the tourist operators common position is “to end
the violations of this law it is necessary a more rigorous
action from the government”.
For Manuel Cabinda, a restaurant owner based Matutuíne,
Maputo Province; the problem must be addressed by
educating the society and in particular parents. For
our party, the problem is with parents’ permission and
backing that the children go to nightclubs, buy banned
products and at the end the penalty rests solely with the
owners of restaurant or night club. “
Quessanias Matsombe, president of the Hotels and Tourism
Federation (FEMATUR) share the same idea and said that
“the existing problems comes from the fact that for a long
time there were not been a strong hand, and institutions
to impose order aiming to discourage the practice and
violation of the law which prohibits minors access to the
nightlife places. With respect to law enforcement, also
logs some inefficiency and not less serious the injustice.
Heavy fines can be passed to the tourist operators, but the
penalties are not extensive to the parents who are in in
this case the first to violate the law.
We are in a situation where all parties are blamed for not
enforcing the law. Parents who allow children to attend
nightclubs, tourist operators by virtue of business turn
a blind eye to the practice, and the authorities do not
monitor and fairly comprehensively.
It is urgent the creation a new partnership model in
which the various stakeholders have specific duties and
responsibilities. Parents and guardians, CSOs, economic
operators and law enforcement can work together in a
chain of duties and responsibilities aimed to put children
away from the night clubs. |
15
16
B oletim I nfor m ati vo
What some individuals say about the Rights of the Child in Mozambique?
We need better and oriented public
policies
Money is not the only need, for
promotion of Children’s Rights
- Defends individuals interviewed by Elos
On one hand, our interlocutors are unanimous that the state should organize them to better protect
the child’s rights. On the other hand, civil society organizations and society in general should fulfill
their social role to ensure the well-being of children. We need better policies mainly framed to our
socio-cultural reality. However, for this it is also necessary to increase the budget
To fulfill with international rules and instruments regarding the promotion of child’s rights,
are needed some steps. The child’s education is also a valid path to ensure that in future we will
have a healthy society. These should be the main challenges of the Government, pointed the ELOS
respondents.
For Custodio Duma, Chairman of the National Human
Rights Commission (CNDH), it is clear that the
lack of regulation of international instruments, in
particular the rights of the child, is an obstacle to state
accountability internationally. But in addition, there is a
need of having public policies and stronger institutions
acting to ensure this achievement.
Another aspect worth the highlight is about the need
to trigger a debate about bureaucratization tendency
of the society. A civil society should be committed
and interact directly with the target audience and the
practical reality on the ground. Contrary to this, the
civil society is more focused on drawing up plans and
set up processes, and even there are OCS that do not
even know the children they work with. Also according
to Custódio Duma, the lack of regulation weakens
the main focus that is the State responsibility. But
let it be clear that the implementation or not of legal
instruments don’t depend merely of the convention
because there is room to use other laws in order to
realize the goals that we pursue.
“Interestingly, in Mozambique there is certain
boldness because we put everything that is good in
the documents. Even in the Economic and Social Plan
(PES) is good , and can and estimates greater access to
health services, education, etc.. These plans reflect a
direct transcription on the pretensions of international
conventions without any real conditions for its
realization, “said Custodio Duma suggesting that what
is needed is to incorporate the international standards
in our legislation.
Of course the non-incorporation jeopardizes, although
you can use the plans, like the Constitution, the
Convention itself to claim the implementation at the
domestic level, but it is not possible to use for example
the African Union and other international organizations
because of the lack of inclusion
However, one cannot say that the trend of concern
for defense of child rights because the rights are
constantly violated. According to the president of the
CNDH “what happens is that the child is dependent
on adult for everything. It is vulnerable to everything.
So we have to focus more on defense of their rights,
including trafficking and rape. “
Then we have to be clear that the big problem are not
children. Rather, the problem are adults, so that more
work is needed for a change of mentality and sensitize
adults and that is what will determine the success of
any action. “
To this end, we have to have laws that impose serious
measures on adults who fail to fulfill the duties and be
more favorable to the children. We also need to have
a strong and active judiciary system. It is the Attorney
General’s Office duty to defend the interests of children,
while the courts have an obligation to make decisions
favorable to the interests of children.
It is the weakness in the all law institutions, which
perpetuate the violations of children’s rights” argues
Custódio Duma and adds, “For budget there is the
slightest doubt that an increase in the rubrics always
makes a difference. Where there is money the things
happen differently. Investments are important, but
more importantly, is to know that not everything is
solved based on money. “. Our respondent goes on
saying “If we have well-targeted public policies, laws
that protect the best interests of the child, more than
Bo le t im I n f o rm a t iv o
investing in building a school we have children’s rights
better protected,”
We need to move in
stages - Fernando Lima,
Journalist
is our concrete reality. The country still have many
challenges, several socio cultural convulsions, which is
a reality and how the society is divisive.
Further considers that the abuse of children’s rights is so
peculiar and touchy. For example, when we address the
issue of domestic violence that also affects children, the
question is, whether there will be an order of priority
or hierarchy to address these issues. So this is kind of
issues we face in day-to-day. The issue of adoption of
children, or ensure the access of children to education
are other troubling aspects of our society
Therefore, there is a world and we move to the actual
reality triggers in us a lot of fears and conflicts that
leads to indecision. If we talk about the issue of child
labor is asked “Will we be culturally prepared to
embrace the recommendations of the International
Labour Organization (ILO) on the prohibition of child
labor?” wonders Lima. The problem we have soon, is
that the government risks being considered unrealistic
by the people who live in rural areas.
Around the issue of the Government challenges to
ensure the commitment of the main instruments for
the promotion and protection of child rights, Fernando
Lima, Mozambican journalist, says he sees the issue
in two different ways. From the conceptual point of
view, considers that there is clearly an intention from
the official institutions in Mozambique to create the
legal bases or substrates to support the promotion
and protection of the rights and duties of children in
Mozambique.
Our interviewee understands that there is not only
weakness and lack of sophistication, but knowledge
that will allow the achievement of the main
international instruments.
“The Mozambican dilemma stems from the fact that we
are not completely at ease in relation to all instruments
and mechanisms that are ratified. However there is
political will to create a network to promote and protect
the child, what seems to be a point that deserves
serious and important debate “, says Fernando Lima.
The issue for debate according to Fernando Lima, are
the assumptions that justify the fears and misgivings,
because there are barriers that our socio cultural laws
imposes on the treatment of the protection of children’s
rights. For example, on the issue of incest in the family
that is indeed a very serious problem in our country.
The question that arises is, “ if the official institutions
are prepared to unravel all taboos around this subject.
To Fernando Lima, one thing is what is done and
elaborated at distance from New York and another
Lima states “One thing for sure, if we are about to
overcome all these difficulties, I may be seen as a
conservative, but I guarantee that this view is pragmatic.
I mean, we cannot be giving shots in all directions. You
need to grab those issues that are fundamental. “
Our interviewee suggests, “Let’s address these wider
issues, first, and then move to more complex issues.
That is, we need to walk and move in stages. This is
a reformist vision on the subject considering that the
challenges in the country are many but resources are
scarce to advance simultaneously in all directions”
Educate children to
ensure a healthy society
in the future” – João
Colaco, Academic
17
For João Colaço, academic and executive secretary of
the Civil Society Observatory, the future of a nation
depends on how its citizens are educated from
childhood, because raising a child is to contribute
to a healthier society. Thus, the failure of any of the
instruments of protection and promotion of children’s
rights immediately implies a future malformed
society.
“Educating a child today means we are preparing a
more intelligent, active , healthier and stable society.”
Colaço believes.
In any case, John Colaco also believes that the
country gave important steps ratifying, international
instruments and currently prevails as challenging the
effectiveness of what has been agreed, and there was
created.
I see that there is still much to comply entirety
with the rights of the child, recognized by the
institutions, society and communities. Therefore,
institutions should step up efforts to give effect
to the children’s rights, “argues Joao Colaco,
adding that success is made partially by political
will and more pressure and demanding. However,
the word participation should always be present
and according to our source, currently the major
problem lies in the fact that when we walk by
Countryside, the institutions necessary to fulfill
child’s education are scarce.
“It is important to have more interaction between
institutions, but we must do more. We should
leave the comfortable life in the cities and go
wherever children are, to work more closely
with them giving direct and daily monitoring.
Argues Joao Colaço and says that “there must
be interaction between the institutions and the
child”, then added that the issue of monitoring of
public policies should be developed and discussed
with much more accuracy.
18
B oletim I nfor m ati vo
News (high and low highlights)
During the first quarter of 2013, much has been done on behalf of children and much was still to be done. Some good things and bad things happened. Through this section
“Elos” intends to leave guides that mark each period that covers the gap from one newsletter edition to another. We intend to exalt good deeds and openly express our
repudiation towards practices that contribute negatively to the materialization of children’s rights (or lack thereof) directly or indirectly way and in the short, medium and long
term. We have no doubt that much should be noted here in the “high” or the “low”, but for this edition these are the facts that were news and deserve our attention.
HIGH
Education
The start of the academic year was characterized by abundant rainfall,
which threatened to tear up all the Government previsions to fulfill the
goals for the firstquarter. The data about targets previously planned still
scarce. One of the targets is to have children that completes the initial
primary cycle with reading and writing skills.
At moment, there is no significant public investments for early childhood
education, because of lack of teachers and classrooms that makes the
education system with no grounds to take firm steps. But for the benefit of
doubt, efforts are being made to reverse the situation.
Reaction to the case of H1N1
A statement issued by the Ministry of Health in March made known that a
baby of six weeks lost his life following the infection by the Influenza A/
H1N1 virus. Until the first half of March the child was the only fatality of the
six confirmed cases in Mozambique.
From this case, which was broadcasted by national and international press,
a positive note was given to the MOH for the efforts and appeals to the
public on preventive care, thus avoiding more casualties.
It is guaranteed support for over
180,000 children
Partners from the Ministry of Education (MINED) expressed readiness to
ensure, for the current academic year, food support for more than 180,000
primary school children. This measure aims to reduce malnutrition rates
and ensure quality improvement in education. The measure will benefit
the schools shortlisted in Southern, Central and Northern Mozambique,
particularly in the provinces of Gaza, Inhambane and Maputo, Tete and
Nampula.
The support comes in a timely way considering that the report on “Child
Poverty and Disparities in Mozambique”, in 2010 edition, indicates that by
2008, 44% of children had problems from chronic malnutrition, a situation
that, in addition to development problems, physical and mental health is
associated with high levels of infant mortality.
RIGHTS OF THE CHILD: Government
approves PNAC-II
The Government of Mozambique has approved the Second National
Action Plan for Children (PNAC-II), to be implemented during the period
2013 to 2019, under the motto “Children First”. Through the PNAC II, the
child becomes the center of attention in policy and development projects.
The measure will strengthen Mozambique’s commitment in ensuring
compliance with the promotion and protection of child rights. It is an
instrument whose approval had full support of national and international
organizations to promote and protect children’s rights, that demand for
effective implementation and achievement of all the goals outlined in the
document.
CORPORAL OFFENSES: Man amputates
Bo le t im I n f o rm a t iv o
LO
the fingers of three kids
It was on the news during the first quarter of 2013 that in Boane district
in Maputo province, Andrade Chilaule, did justice with his own hands.
The victims were three children whom Andrade using an aluminum saw,
amputated the index fingers of each of the children, accusing them of
stealing 1,200 meticais from his business premises. It is not known yet,
what was the outcome with regard to the treatment given to the children,
but it is known that the offender is in police custody, even in a country
where generally, justice for the poor is scarce.
The victims were identified as Moisés Victorino, aged 11, Luis Armando
and Nerto Naiene, both 12 years old who confessed the subtraction of
520 meticais. Not worth the fact, that the children families have taken
responsibility and expressed interest in returning the value. Under the
banner of educating the children, Andrade Chilaule committed a crime
that touched the most sensitive people in that area.
Floods in Mozambique
The floods that ravaged the whole country with the highest incidence in
the town of Chokwe, in Gaza province, and the province of Zambezia, in the
center. This situation led national and international partners to campaign
for funds to help families, who have lost almost all their belongings. In Gaza
province alone, it is estimated to have affected about 140 million people
of which about 70, 000 are children and, according to official statements
19
W
these numbers tend to rise. Still, according to official data the floods have
affected a total of 478, 892 people and there were 117 deaths across the
country, with thousands of families homeless, children without classrooms
and school supplies. This cyclical situation suggests that in the future the
government authorities have to adopt preventive measures to minimize
the devastating effects for thousands of Mozambican families.
FADM soldiers rape minor until collapse
– Inhambane
The armed defense forces of Mozambique in the province of Inhambane
seem to have received a new order; there is no escape from their
harassment. The information made public by Independent Magazine
Journal send shivers and should not be crowned for its’ silence.
Marine militants took advantage of a carnival party to drag a 13 year old
adolescent to a quarter base where she was raped until her senses were
lost. The girl succeeded in identifying at least 3 soldiers who raped her but
she made it clear that the list of the accused was not limited to the above.
The identified offenders were arrested, but the great challenge for the
justice institutions in Inhambane is to grant the deserved denouement to
this case. Word of appreciation goes to Magazine for the denouncement.|
20
B oletim I nfor m ati vo