UNITED Nations Special Representative to the Secretary General on Violence against Children Najat Maalla says children should not be seen as a problem but as assets which need investment.
Dr Maalla who arrived in Zambia on Sunday for a working visit, says building bridges and networking is cardinal in looking at children’s affairs.
ZANIS reports that she was speaking at a cocktail hosted in her honour by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services at Sarovor Hotel in Lusaka Sunday.
Dr. Maalla alluded to child protection as cross cutting into many sectors and hence needs to be translated into services for children’s affairs.
She explained that the direct cost of Violence Against Children (VAC) worldwide is about five percent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which she described as a huge cost.
And speaking at the same event, Minister of Community Development and Social Services Doreen Mwamba said she looks forward to the strengthened collaborations, solutions and redefined strategies that will set a new tone in the manner VAC is addressed.
Ms Mwamba called for collaborative efforts and forging lasting connections that will contribute towards addressing Violence Against Children.