Bulawayo (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe should strengthen coordinated efforts to protect children from emerging threats, including drug and substance abuse, street life and the cross-border movement of unaccompanied minors, as failure to do so threatens the future of the country, a senior official has said.
Secretary for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Paul Nyoni said this on Wednesday while addressing delegates attending the National Child Protection Conference at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) in Bulawayo.
The four-day conference, convened by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, seeks to strengthen dialogue, partnerships and action towards safeguarding the rights and well-being of every child in the country.
It will culminate in the launch of the National Action Plan for Children (2026-2030) by Vice President Kembo Mohadi on Friday.
“Zimbabwe needs to strengthen its child protection systems while fostering a culture where safeguarding children becomes everyone’s responsibility. As a country and region, we are faced with many challenges in our efforts to protect our children, from children living and working on our streets, with all the attendant risks involved, to the growing menace of drug and substance abuse,” said Nyoni.
He also spoke about the surge in cases of unaccompanied minors across the borders, saying there is urgent need to develop appropriate policy and legislative response to those emerging challenges.
Nyoni said the conference was expected to develop strategies for implementing the National Action Plan for Children 2026-2030, review progress made in strengthening child protection systems, mobilise sustainable political and financial support, as well as identify new risks affecting children and young people.
He said collaboration between the government, development partners, civil society organisations and communities remained the foundation of an effective child protection system.
“This collaboration is the cornerstone of child protection. The role played by various stakeholders is crucial in this national, and indeed international, effort to promote the well-being of all children,” he explained.
He stressed that protecting children should extend beyond government institutions and become a shared societal responsibility through creating an environment that allows them to thrive and reach their full potential.
Meanwhile, Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lindgärde, said frontline social workers remained the backbone of an effective child protection system, stressing that investing in human resources was as important as strengthening laws and policies.
He also called for inclusive child protection systems that adequately cater for children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Lindgärde also implored the government and development partners to deepen collaboration to build resilient national systems.
Sweden has supported the child protection sector in Zimbabwe for more than 15 years through programs that strengthen case management, legal identity, access to justice and social services.
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