Bulawayo(New Ziana) – Zimbabwe has made significant progress in strengthening child protection through legislative reforms, expanded social services and improved access to legal identity despite evolving challenges, a UNICEF official has said.
Speaking at the National Child Protection Conference at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) on Tuesday, UNICEF deputy country representative Fiachra McCasey said the progress demonstrates the impact of coordinated efforts between the government, development partners, civil society, communities and children themselves.
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.
McCasey said the conference comes at a critical moment as the country begins implementing the National Action Plan for Children (2026-2030), while Cabinet has also approved the Zimbabwe Child Online Protection Policy, with both marking important milestones in strengthening the country’s child protection framework.
“The timing of this conference is particularly significant. It coincides with the launch and operationalisation of the National Action Plan for Children 2026-2030, which provides a comprehensive framework for advancing child well-being and protection over the next five years.
“It also comes at a pivotal moment following Cabinet’s approval of the Zimbabwe Child Online Protection Policy, which itself is a major step towards safeguarding children in an increasingly digital world,” he said.
McCasey said the latest policy developments build on years of progress in strengthening the country’s child protection system.
“Over the years, Zimbabwe has increasingly strengthened its child protection system through key legislative reforms, the expansion of case management services, continued enhancement of the victim-friendly system, advances in birth registration and legal identity, increased attention to child labour and sustained investments in the social service workforce,” he explained.
However, McCasey highlighted that significant challenges remain, with violence against children, child marriages, child labour and online exploitation continuing to threaten the safety and development of children.
“While the digital environment offers enormous opportunities, it also has introduced new threats, including online violence, exploitation and abuse,” he said.
Climate-related shocks, migration, economic vulnerabilities and public health emergencies continue to expose children to heightened protection risks, he said, making sustained investment in child protection systems more critical than ever, particularly at a time when external financing for social sectors is declining.
“These investments strengthen communities, reduce future social and economic costs and contribute directly to national development outcomes for generations to come,” McCasey said.
McCasey welcomed the focus of the conference on sustainable financing, saying discussions on domestic resource mobilisation and innovative financing mechanisms were essential for ensuring long-term support for children.
He also encouraged countries across Eastern and Southern Africa to continue sharing experiences in areas such as public financing, civil registration, digitalisation, workforce strengthening and responses to migration and online risks.
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