Speech by the UNICEF Representative Mr. Reza Hossaini at the Launch of the Lifeskills, Sexuality and HIV and AIDS Education Strategic Plan 2012-2015 19 th of October, 2013 Crowne Plaza, Harare Director of Ceremonies; Mrs Constance Chigwamba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education; The Guest of Honour, Brigadier General Dr Gerald Gwinji, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Child Care; Mr George Magosvongwe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Development; Mr. David Mutambara, Chairman of the National AIDS Council; The Child President, His Excellency Ntandoyenkosi Moyo; The Chairman of the National Young People s Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV and AIDS; Representatives of UN agencies, funding partners, civil society; Members of the press; Invited guests 1
Children and Young People; Ladies and gentlemen I am honoured to be here this morning to deliver a few remarks on behalf of the United Nations family in Zimbabwe. First, to the leaders of Government here present today. Let me start by thanking you for your commitment to fulfilling the fundamental rights of children to education. Zimbabwe was in the first group of countries that signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on September 11th 1990. The Lifeskills, Sexuality and HIV and AIDS Education Strategic Plan we are launching today reflects the core principles of the Convention: devotion to the best interests of the child; children s right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child. Our Guest of Honour, Ladies and Gentlemen! The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and its partners are investing considerable resources into delivering quality education to over 4 million Zimbabwean children. We all know that Zimbabwe has come out of a particularly difficult time when most systems, built over years of painstaking work, had all but collapsed. The education system was not spared. But today, the picture is more 2
encouraging. We see signs of improvement in education infrastructure, the country can boast of a 1-to-1 pupil-to-textbook ratio, and there are ongoing efforts to improve quality through training of teachers. The foundations stones for the revival of the education sector are being laid and the plan being launched today will ensure that young people not only receive a quality education but also leave school equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate life s challenges. The advent of the HIV pandemic necessitated a review of the education curriculum to ensure that children are fully equipped to deal with the disease. Indeed, in the early 1990s, Zimbabwe was one of the first countries globally to introduce a specific HIV and lifeskills curriculum. Since then, the HIV landscape has changed dramatically. HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe has declined significantly, from a high of 34 per cent in [insert year] to its current level of 14.5 per cent. Prevention, care and treatment programmes are thwarting new infections, reducing stigma, and helping people with HIV to lead normal, healthy lives. Despite these achievements, new HIV infections continue, especially among young women. The situation is compounded by low knowledge levels: less than half of young people 3
aged between 15 to 19 years have comprehensive knowledge of HIV. And early childbearing has increased among girls. Consistent and continuous education with linkages to health and social protection services is therefore crucial to ensuring that the gains Zimbabwe has made are not lost. When age-appropriate information is shared by trained teachers, young people are more likely to delay their sexual debut, reduce the frequency of sexual activity, and the number of sexual partners. Contrary to common belief, providing comprehensive sex education to young people does NOT encourage them to be sexually active. In other words, giving children and young people the opportunity to receive correct information, learn how to live by their values, and acquire relationship skills will enable them to make the rights choices and become responsible and respectful adults. It is necessary to also point out that the strategy does not undermine the primacy of parents in guiding their children. To the contrary, it recognizes that parents and families play a primary role in their children s upbringing. The role of schools is to support and complement the role of parents and families by providing a safe and supportive learning environment and 4
the tools and materials to deliver good quality sexual and reproductive health education. Let me end by acknowledging the role of the young people represented here today. In particular, I would like to single out the Child President, His Excellency Ntandoyenkosi Moyo and the Chair of the National Young People s Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV and AIDS for their leadership in promoting the rights of young people to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Our Guest of Honour! On behalf of the UN family in Zimbabwe, I would like to reiterate our commitment to supporting you in the implementation of the strategic plan. We believe in the ideals of the plan and we are convinced that its implementation will go a long way in making our communities safer for children. I thank you. 5