November 20 is Children's Day, is an international celebration intended to bring nations together to promote child welfare. For the first time in the history of the National Assembly of Seychelles, a 13-year-old Seychellois child addressed her lawmakers on World Children's day. In an impassioned address, the child, Shayane Hoareau, spoke about the challenges - including those related to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights - that children face growing up in the picturesque island country. These were her words, which have been slightly edited for clarity.
Mr. Speaker,
Honorable Members of the National Assembly and all Seychellois who are listening,
Good Day!
It is a great honor to be the representative for all Seychellois children and for addressing the National Assembly this morning.
My name is Miss Shayane Hoareau and I'm 13 years old.
On November 20, 1989, the United Nations drafted the Convention for the Rights of the Child. The Government Seychelles had signed this document on September 20, 1990.
This means that not one of us can say that we haven't heard of this document.
This document addresses what a child needs, even before they are born until they have reached the age of maturity - that is, 18 years of age here in Seychelles.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child has 54 articles and although I do not know all of them by heart, I believe that whatever is detailed is good for children.
It is also good for parents and is good for the community as well.
A number of things have been done in Seychelles so that our children can rejoice in those rights and help us to grow as responsible citizens.
They have the right to be born, the right to access healthcare, the right to live with their parents when they are separated, the right to go to school.
All of this has been possible thanks to the devotion of the Government of Seychelles towards this Convention.
For that, we say a huge thank you.
Before I go further please permit me, Honorable Members, to paint a portrait of the situation that children in Seychelles are living in today.
A 2015 study shows that 3 out of 5 children in the class of S1 through to S5 have been abused sexually. The majority of the time by a member of their own family.
The youngest was a three-month-old baby who died as a result of sexual abuse.
Here in Seychelles!
Children are involved in sexual intercourse from a very young age, and often with one or more partners.
The youngest to fall pregnant was aged 10. Ten years old!
However, the law does not allow a child to consent to sex before the age of 15. The law prevents access to contraceptives for such children. They have to wait until the age of 18.
How many more young mothers should there be before the law is revised?
In addition, children get access to alcohol easily.
However, the law states that you have to be 18 years old to get access to alcohol.
Where are we getting it from?
Cigarettes as well.
Drugs, let's not talk about it.
Before we even reach the age of maturity, at least 14% of children between the ages of 11 to 16 have tried some kind of substance.
In addition, children are being used to sell drugs.
Some have had to get into prostitution to be able to support the drugs lifestyles of their parents.
And let's not forget those that even in their mother's womb, some children have tried drugs and are born with the effects of drugs.
Even in the family, children grow up on their own.
Parents are busy. Parents work. Parents have separated. Children suffer.
The number of suicide attempts amongst children continues to increase.
Schools. We all know. Academic levels are coming down and continuing to go down.
Where is the problem?
To whom does this problem belong to?
This is the reason why we the children wanted to address with the National Assembly on this day.
Put yourself in the shoes of Dylan Rose, which was only 12 years old.
Instead of playing football, going to school, he lived on the streets, slept wherever he could find a spot. He ate what he could find until he lost his life.
Who would wish this on their children?
In fact, there is an article that addresses the protection of children just like Dylan.
Ladies and gentlemen, all that we see on the television have arrived at our door today.
Regardless of the dangers, of all this education and awareness, the attitudes of certain adults do not change!
Young children continue to be neglected, get abused and maltreated!
There are more suitable ways to raise and discipline children.
I would like to thank the National Council for Children, NCC, which has been engaged in educating adults on all of this.
If you, the adults, want us to become better, then you have to lead us by example.
There's a saying 'Children see, Children do!'
We feel that the finger is being pointed at us.
But my grandfather has always said that there are three fingers pointing back at you when you point the finger at others.
Everything that is happening is a reflection of our society.
As children, we do not condone violence.
We don't want violence among children, between children and their parents, between children and their teachers, stealing and deaths.
All of this is not good for us.
Mr. Speaker and all the Members of the National Assembly, all Seychellois who are listening, today, I am making history by being the first child to address the National Assembly of our country, Seychelles.
Article 3 of the Convention States:
In all decisions made, the best interests of children must be taken into consideration. We would like to be listened to, even if some of the things we say might not make much sense to you.
This reminds me of an incident that happened in America that I watched on the Internet.
The driver of a huge truck that miscalculated its path and was stuck under a bridge.
The road was blocked. There was a lot of panic. The engineers, mechanics, police, and many professionals came to try and find a solution. While they were discussing, a small boy came up with his bike.
He approached the person in charge to ask whether he could speak.
No one listened. Finally, a young man asked him what he needed.
That little boy asked if they had tried removing the air from the tyres.
Immediately, the man tried out his idea and was able to remove the truck out from under the bridge.
Mr. Speaker, honourable members, the truth comes out of the mouth of a child. We have ideas, a lot of ideas, and we can help resolve the problems that sometimes the adult themselves have created.
How many developments will be made without taking the child into account? Many housing estates, for example, don't have facilities for playing!
We need a place where we can run, sing and play all kinds of games if we like. Give us a chance to develop sports, cultural and traditional activities. It is our right to know our history and to keep our culture alive.
But if you do not show us, how are you supposed to protect our heritage tomorrow?
Mr. Speaker, we also have our dreams. We also have our vision for the future. Do not only see us as the source of the problems in Seychelles.
Instead, view us as the resource that can help to resolve these issues.
We are the key. We are the future. But remember, we are also the present. We are not just an expense. We are a good investment.
Continue to treat us with respect and dignity so that we can also grow up with those same values. If you wish us a good morning, we will also wish you a good morning.
Yes, we know that having rights also comes with responsibility. We have our part to play. Parents also have theirs. And all the leaders of this country also have a role to play. Don't just say that children have rights. Learn about these rights and see where you can help.
Support services that provide support to our children. Help those services to become stronger and effective so that they will prevent the bad people from taking advantage of us.
Think of the most vulnerable children - abandoned children, children who are poor and children who live with disabilities. Don't treat them like they are lesser, on the contrary help to create a better environment to help them develop their potential to the maximum possible.
Mr. Speaker, Members of the National Assembly, we depend on our adults to protect our interests. Already, by giving us a moment of your time, you, the Honorable Members have shown engagement towards us.
We promise to work hard at school so we can contribute to taking our country forward.
Thank you for listening to us despite the fact that you are busy with the budget. For once this assembly today has become the assembly for all children too.
We also thank everyone for listening.
Long live all children in Seychelles!
Long live our national assembly!
The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Danny Faure and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Mr. Patrick Pillay have supported long-running efforts to transform the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a SADC Regional Parliament while also calling for more investments in the youths.
The two leaders spoke at the official opening of the 41st Plenary Assembly Session of the Forum which got underway here on Monday. More than half of the cabinet and the leader of the opposition of Seychelles Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, joined the President for the official opening ceremony.
"The recognition we can give to the SADC Parliamentary Forum for its contribution in advancing the region's democracy, governance peace and development agenda is to earnestly consider its quest for transformation into a Regional Parliament," the President said.
He said Africa is in the middle of a process of massive transformation and was home to many of the world's 10 fastest growing economies. Additionally, the continent has rich natural resources, a young population and scope for growth, with many companies and countries alike turning to Africa's promise.
"It is a continent of hope with immense potential," he said.
The President said in spite of its vast potential, Africa continued to face many developmental challenges.
"In the context of globalization, regional integration is imperative for Africa. But effective implementation of regional frameworks will only take root in healthy and democratic environments where economic management is transparent and accountable. Building this kind of political and economic security requires that we think and act regionally and continentally in the spirit of solidarity and shared commitment."
He said to prosper in a globalized economy, Member States needed to act as organized regions to improve the quality of lives of their people "including the reinforcement of the values of democracy and good governance."
He urged SADC Member States to ensure the meaningful participation of the people and institutions of the region to achieve an effective and transparent regional integration process.
"Parliament is the embodiment of representative democracy and its untapped potential to deepen SADC's regional integration should be appreciated and recognised."
The President added: "The setting up of a SADC Regional Parliament will build more stable foundations for peace and security, better promote the implementation of policies, democratic standards and best practices resulting in greater political stability, more sustainable economic development and increased regional integration."
His view is that a SADC Regional Parliament would provide a platform for leaders, Governments and people of southern Africa to share best practices and developments in governance and socio-economic advancements.
Earlier, Speaker Pillay said Seychelles was "lengthily discussing" the transformation of SADC PF into a SADC Regional Parliament in line with its founding objectives.
"I see the (President) taking copious notes. Perhaps Seychelles may consider - small as we may be - if we get funding we could, like Namibia has done (hosting the SADC PF Secretariat), consider hosting you (a SADC Regional Parliament). I know it is a bold statement, but we are an ambitious small nation," he said to applause.
The theme of the 41st Plenary Assembly Session is: " Harnessing the demographic dividend in SADC through investments in youth.' '
President Faure said the theme was in line with the commemoration of the African Union's 54th anniversary and the Organization's vision 2063. The adoption of this vision, he said, was a "colossal milestone" towards inclusive development and the empowerment of the people.
"The theme provides us with the opportunity to continue valorizing our youth with more vigor and dynamism. The involvement of youth in the development of our continent and indeed in southern Africa will mean more inclusive participation and development. Our youth are an extraordinary asset to our region."
Speaking at the same occasion, SADC PF President Fernando Da Piedade Dos Santos, MP, who is also Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, called for more investment in young people.
"The high population growth rates in most of our countries have resulted in the number of youth and children to be higher than that of the adults. As a result, the number of those who need to be supported and cared for is higher than that of those who are independent and have to take care of them. Consequently, the youth are feeling left out and as politicians who value each and every vote, we should consider this theme earnestly," he said.
Malawian lawmaker Dr Jessie Kabwila who is the Chairperson of the Regional Women's Parliamentary Caucus advocated for the inclusion and prioritisation of young women as well as for clear policies backed by implementation to eradicate teenage and unplanned pregnancy. She said SADC PF should think about how it can provide oversight as the region invests in the demographic dividend.
"The problems of corruption, patronage agreed, the practice of governing for personal aggrandisement, and power run by a few to the detriment of many cannot be formula for harnessing the demographic dividend. We need to remember that corruption retards and destroys."
LEADERS: (Seated L to R) Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Adv. Jacob Francis Mudenda; Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC; Speaker of the National Assembly of Swaziland, Hon Themba Msibi; Hon Moses Masango, representing the Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa; Hon. Sebatian Karupu, representing the Speaker of the National Asembly of Namibia; Hon. Jaime Augusto Neto, representing the Speaker of Mozambique; Hon. Terence Mondon, Treasurer of SADC PF; and Hon Monica Mutsvangwa, Vice President of SADC PF at the official opening of the 41st Plenary Assembly Session of SADC PF in Mahe, Seychelles. SADC Secretary General Dr Esau Chiviya said the Forum exists to promote the principles of human rights, democracy, peace and security, regional integration, human and social development, economic governance and gender equality through collective responsibility within the SADC Region.
Chiviya added that SADC PF advocates, also, for the harmonization, ratification, domestication and implementation of SADC Protocols, treaties and other decisions at national level, while strengthening the implementation capacity of SADC by involving Parliamentarians in the affairs of SADC.
Delegates to this Plenary include Speakers or their representatives and Members of Parliament from 12 of the 14 SADC PF Member States. Lesotho and Tanzania are not represented due to pressing national commitments. The Plenary is expected to adopt the Made Declaration, which captures recommendations from the first ever Women's Parliament that took place in Seychelles last week.