‘Justice system guaranteeing children’s rights in climate change issues needed’ 9 July 2020

IN Ngangu Village, Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province Ellen Dhliwayo’s 11-year-old boy is crying because he is hungry. He is not going to school and is spending his days with his mother at Garikai camp, where thousands are living in tents after their homes were destroyed by Cyclone Idai last year…Their plight is also an indication of how effects of climate change such as diseases, droughts and floods are destroying food sources and livelihoods and further exacerbated risks to children and deepened deprivation for millions. Studies have shown that there may be no greater, growing threat facing the world’s children today than climate change. Children are suffering disproportionately from climate change and growing environmental risks.

…The status of children’s environmental health is also closely linked to other rights. These include the rights to life, survival and development, food, water and sanitation, adequate housing, education, freedom from economic exploitation, information, and an adequate standard of living. The right to equality and non-discrimination implies that all children should have access to a healthy and safe environment. Strict implementation for an environmental justice system which guarantees access to remedy for environmental child rights is needed in developing countries like Zimbabwe. That call was highlighted by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), in its press statement to mark the 2020 Day of the African Child (DAC) which was celebrated on June 16.

…Though a major player in Zimbabwe’s economy, mining was cited by ZELA as one of the main causes of environmental degradation in the country…As part of investing in children for them to be part of national climate plans on mitigation and adaptation, Director of Climate Change Management in the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mr Washington Zhakata said the department was working on a climate change strategy which will result in issues on the subject being adopted even in schools to improve protection of the environment.