Child Protection
UNICEF’s Child Protection programme is grounded in a rights-based approach. It seeks to ensure that children, adolescents and young people (AYP) are protected from violence, abuse and exploitation.
The Situation
Child protection remains a critical priority in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural and humanitarian contexts, where the capacity to provide essential services is severely limited. Challenges such as poverty, entrenched social norms, climate-induced shocks (including droughts and cyclones), and public health emergencies like cholera have further undermined already fragile systems.
Child protection remains a critical priority in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural and humanitarian contexts, where the capacity to provide essential services is severely limited. Challenges such as poverty, entrenched social norms, climate-induced shocks (including droughts and cyclones), and public health emergencies like cholera have further undermined already fragile systems.
Although the Government of Zimbabwe has made notable progress—ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child and establishing a National Case Management System (NCMS)—the sector continues to face major constraints. These include a shortage of trained social workers, weak child-sensitive justice systems, limited investment in social welfare, and the insufficient implementation of policies and legislation. These gaps are exacerbated in emergencies.
UNICEF’s Child Protection programme is grounded in a rights-based approach. It seeks to ensure that children, adolescents and young people (AYP) are protected from violence, abuse and exploitation, have their births registered, and benefit from improved prevention and response systems across both development and humanitarian settings.
The Solution
Key Priorities
UNICEF focuses on:
Strengthening the legislative framework: Supporting the development and implementation of laws related to gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, birth registration, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), access to justice, and the rights of children with disabilities.
Improving service delivery systems: Enhancing the social welfare, civil registration, justice and law enforcement sectors to provide inclusive, gender-responsive child protection services.
Workforce development: Expanding and training the social services workforce, especially for emergency response and disability inclusion.
Promoting behavioural and social change: Engaging communities to shift social norms that condone violence and harmful practices, and increase demand for protective services.
Enhancing digital systems: Using technology to improve information management, birth registration, and case tracking.
Results in 2024
Child marriage and violence: The child marriage rate remains high at 21.2% among girls aged 15–18. Around 64% of children experience violent discipline, while 35% engage in child labour—26% in hazardous work like mining and waste collection.
Birth registration: Only 51% of children are registered at birth.
Legislative achievements: UNICEF supported the enactment of eight child protection laws, including the Children’s Amendment Act, Child Justice Bill and Legal Aid Amendment Bill.
Key figures
Service delivery:
27,134 children received services through the NCMS.
117,588 children and adolescents accessed community-based MHPSS in emergencies.
106,090 learners benefited from the Safe to Learn initiative, promoting safe school environments.
Community engagement:
10,116 adolescent girls in remote areas accessed child marriage prevention and care services.
5,700 traditional leaders were trained in active birth and death notifications; 3,070 children had their births notified by these leaders.
Disability inclusion:
1,090 caregivers trained in positive parenting and disability management.
272 community advocates trained to promote disability services.
GBV and PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse):
93,474 people accessed safe reporting channels.
7,183 individuals received GBV response services.
Children on the Move:
362 children identified; 47% were successfully reunified.
1,658 migrants received psychosocial and health services.
174 women and girls received menstrual hygiene kits.
UNICEF continues to work in partnership with government, civil society, and communities to strengthen protective systems and ensure every child in Zimbabwe grows up safe and free from harm.
