Govt calls for joint support for children living in correctional facilities

The Zambian government has called for strengthened collaboration in supporting children living with their mothers in correctional facilities across the country.

Director of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Morris Moono, said children born or residing in correctional facilities—commonly referred to as circumstantial children—remain innocent and deserve structured care and deliberate support.

Moono made the remarks when he received a donation of assorted items from Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Zambia. The items included duvets, bed sheets, play yards, sneakers, and feeding bottles.

He emphasised that such support was crucial to giving circumstantial children a fair and dignified start in life.

“This donation is a reminder that every child has the right to warmth, safety, nurturing care, and an opportunity to grow, survive, and thrive,” Moono said. He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the principle that every child matters.

Moono stressed that safeguarding children required concerted efforts among government agencies, civil society, and other partners.

ACE Zambia Country Director, Chantry Mweemba, echoed similar sentiments, noting that circumstantial children must be treated with dignity and raised to know they are valued members of society.

“I wish to commend government for releasing nursing mothers on amnesty and for enacting legislation such as the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022, which aims to improve the welfare of all children, including those in correctional facilities,” Mweemba said.

Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS) Director for Corrections, Senior Assistant Commissioner, Doreen Ngoma, who received the donation, thanked ACE Zambia for its continued support.

Ngoma said the donation would greatly assist the 55 circumstantial children currently residing in correctional facilities across the country.

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