The glamour and glitter of the World Children's Day 2025

The Regional Celebrations in Gaborone

The atmosphere in Gaborone, Botswana, was full of energy and serious intent on November 15, 2025. It was a day for celebration, but more importantly, a day for making demands. 

For the regional World Children's Day event, hosted by Botswana, young leaders arrived in a vibrant display of different colours and national dress—a true picture of Southern African unity. 

Young people from nine countries, inclu;ding Zimbabwe, gathered at the Parliament Building to take their message directly to the heart of government.

This regional meeting quickly sparked action back home in Zimbabwe. The momentum flowed straight to Harare, where the children didn't just ask for their rights, they claimed them. 

They staged a decisive, yet playful, takeover of the UNICEF and EU offices, challenging the adult decision-makers and showing that 'A conversation is not a conversation without the affected.' 

Their week of protest and advocacy reached its final climax with a massive, colourful street march and a final policy handover, proving that the move towards securing child rights is now a powerful, youth-led movement.

These children spoke not as recipients of aid, but as rights-holders demanding accountability. They called for tangible action to end violence and poverty, reduce alarmingly high school dropout rates, and ensure universal access to basic necessities like nutrition, sanitation, and inclusive education.

In response, Botswana's President, Duma Boko, acknowledged the successful precedent set by Zimbabwe's earlier national event. He echoed the urgent need to transition from rhetoric to reality, stating clearly:

"We must do more to improve their lives and livelihoods. We must act now." World Children's Day, celebrated annually on November 20th, marks the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. But in Gaborone, the message was clear: this day is less about history and more about the future—a future where the colours of every child's potential are fully realised, not just promised.

From Gaborone to Harare for the National World Children's Day Celebrations

The voices of Zimbabwe's children took centre stage as the nation celebrated World Children's Day 2025, marking a fitting and inspiring conclusion to the nationwide #SocialProtectionWeekZim. It was a day where rhetoric turned into reality as children declared their right to lead.

In a powerful demonstration of their demands, young leaders effectively took over the UNICEF Zimbabwe and European Union (EU) offices in Harare. Declaring the day their own, they stepped into leadership roles, occupying key desks and decision-making chairs to send an unequivocal message: "It is our day to be the leaders."

Following this energetic takeover, the children articulated their comprehensive rights agenda. They called passionately for guaranteed access to quality education, essential health services, and safety and protection, underscoring that these rights are non-negotiable foundations for their future. The actions of the day served as a vibrant reminder to all stakeholders that the time for children's rights is now.

Taking over the Social Behaviour Change Workshop on World Children's Day

On World Children's Day, the UNICEF Zimbabwe Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) workshop was completely transformed as young leaders stepped into the limelight. Instead of the expected address from UNICEF Representative Etona Ekole, the children seized the platform, offering their own powerful and unfiltered perspectives on the rights agenda. With compelling oratory and practical clarity, they articulated precisely what change looks like from their vantage point, effectively demonstrating that the most impactful messages often come directly from those whose lives they seek to improve. This dynamic takeover served as a potent, real-time testament to the core principles of child participation, turning a routine advocacy meeting into an unforgettable declaration of leadership.

"What would you be doing if you weren't working for UNICEF?"

Playful Power in Harare: WCD's Best Question. This World Children's Day was defined by genuine, brilliant engagement. After surprising UNICEF Rep Etona Ekole and successfully seizing the mic, the room erupted in smiles as children took charge of the SBC workshop. They immediately cut to the heart of leadership, challenging the adults with the iconic question: "What would you be doing if you weren't working for UNICEF?" This joyful moment proved that the children are more than ready to lead.

Taking over the UNICEF Zimbabwe offices

Following the engaging Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) workshop, the children launched the next phase of their action: they marched directly to the UNICEF office in Harare. Their takeover was extensive, as they immediately claimed the desks of several high-level departments. They took over Etona Ekole’s office and played her role as the Representative, the Deputy Representative’s office, the Communications office, and the HR office. Seizing the opportunity, the young leaders demanded to know what a day in the life of a Representative looked like, turning the physical office space into a dynamic classroom and holding the agency accountable for the rights of every child.

More takeovers. As the day progressed, there was a growing demand for more bold and courageous leadership to be included and to take on responsibilities.

From asking the tough questions at the SBC workshop to claiming the keys to the UNICEF office, World Children's Day was a triumphant success for youth leadership. Our Representative, Etona Ekole, was officially out of a job for the day—and the children loved it! More so when Ropa took over from our Chief of Communications, Alexandra Makaroff, she made the most of it.

The SBC workshop was just the warm-up, and the UNICEF office takeover—where Representative Etona Ekole was gladly dethroned—was the mid-day triumph. But the young leaders weren't finished. Their next stop? The European Union (EU) Delegation. 

Taking over the European Union office

Here, they met directly with Ania Cichocka (Head of Cooperation) and Maria Horno (Head of Social Sectors), putting the international partners on the spot. This photo essay captures the full, unstoppable momentum of World Children's Day 2025—a demonstration that child participation is truly a force in diplomacy and development.

The children didn't hold back, putting their demands for health, education, and protection straight to the international community. This is child participation in action. #WCD2025

And then they took over! The EU stood in awe of it all.

Meeting the EU's new Ambassador-Designate to Zimbabwe

Our young leaders concluded their WCD takeover with a powerful high-level meeting. They met with the EU's new Ambassador-Designate to Zimbabwe, Katrin Hagemann (who recently arrived in September 2025, taking over from Jobst von Kirchmann), and Head of Social Sectors, Maria Horno. Amidst the insightful office tour and the discussion on the EU’s vital role, Ambassador Hagemann assured the children that their dreams were valid. This exchange proves that the highest levels of diplomacy are listening to the voices of the future.

Passing the Baton! Our incredible young leaders finished their WCD takeover by meeting their peers on the EU Youth Sounding Board (YSB). The YSB ensures young Zimbabweans influence EU policy—and on this day, they got a powerful mandate from the very children they represent!

Marching for their Rights in Harare

Even as the high-level diplomatic meetings concluded, the spirit of World Children’s Day remained powerfully alive. The day following the EU farewell saw children from across Zimbabwe converge in Harare for a monumental march, turning the city into a kaleidoscope of colour and determination. Moving through the streets amid the ongoing Social Protection Week, the event became the vibrant highlight of the day. Carrying dozens of hand-painted placards, the children collectively demanded their fundamental rights: to be heard, to protection, to health, to social support, to nutrition, and to clean, safe water. The unified march was a vivid, irresistible demonstration that the commitment to child rights extends far beyond the boardroom—it belongs on the streets, where the future is demanding action.

More pictures of the march.

The colourful march that swept through Harare was only the prelude to the day’s most compelling moment. Following their vocal demonstration, 150 children crammed into an auditorium, bringing the energy and urgency of the streets with them. Amidst the crowded room, these young advocates listened intently as national leaders stepped forward to publicly commit to the calls for action made throughout the week—from protection and health to clean water and social support. The sight of the hundreds of children, packed shoulder-to-shoulder, eyes fixed on the podium, served as a powerful and undeniable final demand: their rights have been clearly articulated, and now, they expect delivery.

Etona's inspiring speech 

Taking the stage, UNICEF Representative Etona Ekole opened her address by acknowledging the week of profound youth action. "Just a few days ago," she began, "children from Zimbabwe travelled to Botswana, where they joined their peers from nine other countries. 

They came together not only to celebrate World Children’s Day, but, more importantly, to call on us — their leaders, duty bearers and partners — to remain accountable to the promises we have made under the Convention on the Rights of the Child." She then highlighted the week’s central theme of meaningful participation: "I am reminded of one of our youth advocates, Ropa, who shared how inspired she felt being part of an event where children and young people were given a real platform to speak. 

She said, 'A conversation is not a conversation without the affected.' Her words are a powerful reminder that children must not only be present, but also be heard, valued, and included." However, her message pivoted to the urgency of the moment, reminding the gathered crowd that rights and lives stand at a crossroads. 

"They face a rapidly changing world — one shaped by conflict, climate shocks, economic pressures, and shrinking civic space. These forces are redefining what childhood looks like today and threaten the very basics of what it means to grow, learn, play, and thrive." Her speech served as both praise for the children’s advocacy and a galvanising call for commitment from the adults present.