‎Harare, (New Ziana) – In a landmark move set to reshape the landscape of child welfare and advocacy in Zimbabwe, Parliament and UNICEF on Tuesday signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening their collaboration to protect and advance the rights and well-being of children and women across the nation.

‎The MoU, a product of five years of dialogue and cooperation, brings together key national stakeholders including the Zimbabwe Institute Board, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, and Veritas under a unified vision to embed children’s rights into the heart of policy-making and governance.

‎Speaking at the signing ceremony, speaker of parliament, Jacob Mudenda hailed the agreement as a transformative milestone.

‎”The signing of this MoU marks the beginning of a renewed journey of cooperation. We affirm our shared commitment in building a democratic, inclusive, and accountable parliamentary ecosystem,” he said.

‎While Parliament and UNICEF have previously collaborated on advocacy and capacity-building efforts, this formal agreement provides a structured framework for long-term joint planning and implementation. Central to the agreement is the focus on evidence-based policy-making, strengthened legislative oversight, and increased accountability in budgeting for child-focused programs.

‎UNICEF Representative, Etona Ekole emphasized the critical role parliament plays in shaping the future of Zimbabwe’s children.

‎”Through its legislative and oversight functions, parliament has the power to influence policies, budgets, and programmes that directly impact the lives of children. This partnership will ensure that children’s voices and needs are placed at the heart of national decision-making processes,” Ekole said.

‎The MoU also aligns with, and builds upon the work of the recently established Child Rights Caucus within Parliament. This platform has already championed progressive initiatives such as promoting girls’ education, increasing access to menstrual hygiene products, and advocating for the abolition of corporal punishment in schools.

‎A two-year joint work plan has been developed to operationalize the partnership, with clear goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

Co-funded by both UNICEF and parliament, the plan will prioritize inclusive policy-making, community engagement, and resource mobilization to improve outcomes for children across Zimbabwe’s provinces.

‎As Zimbabwe continues its efforts to create a more inclusive and child-friendly society, this partnership between its legislative body and the world’s leading children’s agency signals a bold new chapter in governance, one where children are no longer on the periphery of policy but at its very core.

New Ziana