Call for increased child protection investment amid rising threats

CHENGETAI MURIMWA

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on Zimbabwe to scale up investment in child protection systems, warning that children are facing growing threats including violence, child labour, online exploitation and climate-related vulnerabilities.

Speaking at the National Child Protection Conference in Bulawayo, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Zimbabwe, Fiachra McAsey, said while the country had made notable progress in strengthening child protection mechanisms, more needs to be done to ensure every child is safe, protected and able to reach their full potential.

McAsey said the conference provided an important platform to assess progress, confront emerging risks and renew collective commitments towards safeguarding children’s rights.

“The timing of this conference is particularly significant. It coincides with the launch and operationalisation of the National Action Plan for Children 2026-2030 and follows Cabinet’s approval of the Zimbabwe Child Online Protection Policy,” he said.

His remarks come amid growing concerns over the multiple and interconnected risks facing children, including violence, child marriages, child labour, technology-facilitated abuse, drug and substance abuse, migration-related vulnerabilities, climate change impacts and socio-economic shocks.

The Government acknowledged that addressing these challenges requires stronger coordination and innovative solutions across society.

In a speech delivered on behalf of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Pfungwa Kunaka, Acting Chief Director for Social Development and Labour Administration, Tawanda Zimhunga, said the scale and complexity of the challenges demanded “innovative thinking, stronger partnerships and a renewed commitment from every sector of society.”

The Government said the National Action Plan for Children 2026-2030, which will be launched by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, provides a framework for tackling child protection challenges through five strategic pillars, including ending violence against children, expanding access to social services and eliminating child labour.

McAsey commended Zimbabwe for strengthening its child protection architecture through legislative reforms, expanded child protection case management services, improvements to the victim-friendly system, increased birth registration and legal identity coverage, and investment in the social service workforce.

However, he warned that children remain exposed to increasingly complex threats.

“Violence against children remains a significant concern. Child marriage and child labour continue to undermine children’s rights and their futures,” he said.

A key theme emerging from the conference was the urgent need for sustainable financing to support child protection initiatives and ensure that vulnerable children receive adequate support.

The Government stressed that protecting children cannot be the sole responsibility of state institutions, but requires collective action from all sectors of society.

“Protecting children is not a responsibility of Government alone. It requires a genuine all-of-government and all-of-society approach,” Kunaka said.

He added that every ministry, institution, community, family and citizen had a role to play in creating a safe and protective environment for children.

McAsey reinforced the need for increased funding, arguing that investment in child protection delivers long-term social and economic benefits.

“UNICEF firmly believes that investing in child protection is one of the smartest investments a country can make,” he said.

The conference, which brought together Government officials, development partners, civil society organisations and child protection experts from across the region, is expected to produce recommendations to guide implementation of the National Action Plan for Children over the next five years.

Both UNICEF and the Government expressed optimism that the gathering would translate commitments into tangible action that improves outcomes for children across Zimbabwe.

“The success of this conference will not be measured by the quality of our discussions alone, but by whether the commitments we make here translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of children,” McAsey said.