Her Majesty Masenate Mohato Seeiso shakes World Vision Southern African interim leader, Jean-Claude Mukadi while children’s rights activists look on .IMAGE :GIFT NDOLWANE

By MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE Queen of Lesotho, Her Majesty Masenate Mohato Seeiso, has bemoaned the perpetration of violence against children in Southern Africa.
Speaking in Johannesburg at the launch of a momentous campaign to address the menace, she lamented that child labour, forced marriages and rape were among other infringements rife in the region.
She officially launched the regional launch of the “It takes a World” campaign of the nongovernmental organisation, World Vision, aimed at ending violence against youngsters.
“We note with dismay that in 2017, there are still instances of children being forced into sex, are raped or even killed,” she bemoaned.
“It is with dismay that we note some adults are forcing children to buy them alcohol despite them not within the legal age,” the monarch added.
Seeiso pointed out Southern Africa had among the highest incidences of child labour in the world.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, Eastern and Southern Africa have the highest proportion of children involved in child labour in the world. It is believed 36 percent of all children between the ages of five and 14 are involved.
“Being a child in Southern Africa spells misery,” Seeiso.
She nonetheless welcomed strides made by countries in the region in terms of legislation to address violations against children.
The queen also hailed the programme by World Vision to complement the efforts by governments.
Seeiso is involved in a variety of charitable projects, including the Patronship of the SOS Children’s Village.
She is also an advocate for people with disabilities and HIV/AIDs patients.
– CAJ News