Maun residents blame "children rights"

Residents of Sedie Ward in Maun have pointed fingers at existing ‘Children Rights’ for the escalating numbers of defilements and teenage pregnancies in Botswana.

Their argument is that the rights of children create barriers between parents and children and prevent them from talking to or guiding and disciplining their children freely, as they fear that they will be reported to the different child advocacy organizations. This was said during a kgotla meeting led by Member of Parliament for Maun West, Tawana Moremi in Maun on Friday.

One Maun resident, Uyapo Mosweu disclosed that children rights have put parents in a dilemma, “Due to these rights we are unable to communicate freely with our children because they report us to these organizations. I once tried to talk to my son and he told me all about his rights. He ended leaving our home and he is now staying with his girlfriend at Moeti Ward. This is very disheartening.”

Another resident of the ward, Reverend Michael Ntshwarang of the Faith Gospel after Christ church blamed the syllabus in government schools especially at Primary level; which he says has now included subjects and material on sexual topics including the use of condoms.  Ntshwarang says children of a young age want to experience and experiment with what they have been taught in class. “By doing this the children may end up engaging in sexual activities at the young age,” said Ntshwarang.

The religious leader said even when the children are engaged in sexual activities at young age they are unable to talk to them about the dangers of that or to punish them as they are in a fear of their rights; which he says act as a boundary between parents and children.

For his part, Senior Nursing Officer at Sedie Clinic, Golebaone Makolo said they are just as concerned about the numbers of teenage pregnancy cases at their clinic adding that they have received cases in which young girls at a tender age of eleven and twelve years are found to be pregnant.

Makolo implored the need to have a youth friendly clinic on their vicinity from which they will be able to talk to youth about the dangers of engaging in sexual activities at early ages and to teach them about handling youth related matters which they encounter on a daily basis.

Member of Parliament for Maun West, Tawana Moremi spoke against and criticized all elders who continue to engage in sexual relationships with children and underage girls saying they are destroying children’s future. He further added that poverty levels will continue to increase if children are being defiled and sexually abused. 

Moremi shared that it is disheartening to hear that even girls as young as 11 years are found to be sexually active and pregnant. The MP urged the nurses to investigate more when they receive cases in which children under the age of 16 years are impregnated. “Although you are complaining about Children rights being a barrier you must know that parents need to play their role and duties in their children’s lives,” added Moremi.