The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has commended government for establishing a Centre in Lusaka where circumstantial children and their incarcerated mothers will be kept away from the female correctional facility, where the living environment is unsafe to the physical and mental well-being of the children.
The Commission says the step taken by the government to establish the Diana Nalupya Centre as an alternative for the custody and care of female inmates and circumstantial children is commendable as it will allow the children to live with their mothers and grow up in an environment that is safe like other children in the community.
Commission Human Rights Advocacy Manager, Simon Mulumbi, said that the set up in correctional facilities, which were not built to accommodate female inmates and their children, has a bearing on the mental development of children whose behavior is being influenced by the negative environment to which they are being exposed.
He said the Commission has also been concerned that the experiences of these children in their formative years will have significant impact on their future development and adult lives.
“The Commission is hopeful that the facility will be adequately supported to address all the needs of the circumstantial children, including education, health care, nutrition and recreation,” said Mr. Mulumbi in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
Mr. Mulumbi said the Commission is confident that the Zambia Correctional Service Officers that will be designated to supervise the Centre will refrain from exhibiting aggressive or any form of behavior to the mothers.
He has since urged government to expedite the setting up of more child care centres and places of safety as provided for under the Children’s Code Act, No. 12 of 2022 to enhance the protection of children especially those that may be victims of abuse and other human rights violations.
By Margaret Mwanza
