CHILDREN TACKLE ISSUES AFFECTING THEM IN A PANEL DISCUSSION

By Busi Kheswa

• A panel discussion during the Africa Children’s Summit has provided insights into the issues affecting children across the continent.
• Representatives from Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe raised points common to all the countries, including promoting learner engagement, financial barriers to education, and child abuse.
• Dialogue, like the panel discussion, shows the importance of listening to children and involving them in conversations and decisions that impact their lives.

A vibrant and insightful panel discussion, chaired by Child Chairperson of the Africa Children’s Summit, Tara Hendricks, focused on pressing issues affecting children across the African continent.

The panel, one of the many activities of the Africa Children’s Summit currently underway in Johannesburg, highlighted a number of common challenges, with child representatives from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Mozambique, and Kenya sharing their perspectives and lived experiences.

One of the key topics discussed was the role of parents and communities in encouraging learner participation in school activities.

A representative from Zambia shared how their country promotes learner engagement through school councils, youth-friendly spaces, and child/youth-led programmes designed to attract and inspire peers.

Addressing financial barriers to education, a Liberian delegate spoke candidly about how poverty and corruption in their education system hinder access to quality learning and put pressure on already disadvantaged parents.

“Even progressing to the next grade can be difficult if families can’t afford to bribe teachers despite the child’s academic performance.”

The emotional and psychological impact of abuse was another sensitive but important topic.

A Zambian representative explained how experiences of physical and emotional abuse can lead to trauma, flashbacks, lack of concentration, absenteeism, and a loss of self-confidence, all of which negatively affect children’s performance and wellbeing in school.

The effects of climate change were brought into sharp focus by the Kenyan delegation.

They noted how changing weather patterns have disrupted agriculture, making it difficult to grow staple foods such as maize. This not only leads to food insecurity but also forces many children to drop out of school due to increased financial strain on households.

These discussions show the importance of listening to children and involving them in conversations and decisions that impact their lives.

Through platforms like the panel that took place on 5 April 2025, young voices continue to shed light on the real issues and call for sustainable solutions that can build a better future for Africa’s children.